My StumbleUponPageWe’re all familiar with how some native species in Florida dispose of nonnative ones, such as the occasional dog that wanders too close to a lake and become a meal for an alligator. But it isn’t just gators that dog owners should watch for, at least in the Panhandle. In Fort Walton Beach, a two-pound chihuahua was playing on a second-floor deck when a hawk tried to whisk it away, nwfdailynews.com reports.
The owner heard the dogs’ screams and arrived as the hawk, with the pup in its talons, was poised to take off, so it dropped the puppy and flew away. And the dog is recovering from its wounds.
Hawk attacks on small dogs are more frequent than people might realize, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Stan Kirkland told the website. “They’re large raptors, and they eat little animals. And a little chihuahua or a little small dog looks like food to them.”
Weird stuff Huh? but this was in the news. I like to read odd and strange stories about dogs and I know alot of you enjoy reading these stories so I shall continue to post them..Listen do sign into my googles friend connect widget and show you care bout dogs. Your donations are also appreciated .Thanks, and look me up on twitter @lilruth Follow ME
Showing posts with label animals.dog stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animals.dog stories. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Odd story - Dog's can't fly but Hawks do
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Join INBOXDOLLARS and earn cash fast
Join now and when ou do you will also be helping us fight against aimal cruelty, so please sign up now just click on the link and check it out and start earning cash today. Thanks
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Crazy Dog TIps?
Many pet owners blindly follow their vets orders and pay premium prices for the care of their animals. But the real truth your vet does not want you to know is much of the care your animal gets is simply a business technique by the vets to make money.
I know it sounds scandalous or unethical but it’s true. Unethical business practices don’t end with the banks and big corporate companies.
Your local pet store and veterinarian are also capable of treating your animal to maximize the profit they realize after treatment.
If you own a pet, you know that you have to get them vaccinated, right? Of course, as young puppies and kittens, vaccination is essential. But think for a moment the last time your pet was vaccinated. How old was your pet?
Do you vaccinate your pet every year? Probably, because that’s what your vet tells you to do. But the truth is in recent studies, pets that get vaccinated every year have a higher risk of cancer and other deadly illnesses than pets that are vaccinated much less frequently. Isn't that little tidbit a bombshell?
But your vet will ALSO NEVER TELL YOU this next little mind blower either. Now, this may or may not come as a complete shocker, but..., Those vaccinations you are paying for are marked up significantly and add a nice fat bottom line to their business. In an economy like this, can you afford not to have this critical information?? Be sure to sign into my Googles Friend Connect and show you care and also open your hearts and leave a donation to help feed and shelter these dogs who need your help. Help us fight against animal cruelty.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Dogs Rules for Christmas
2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts . Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.
3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.
4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:
a. Don't pee on the tree
b. Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree
c. Mind your tail when you are near the tree
d. If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open
e. Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree
5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:
a. Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans
b. Don't eat off the buffet table
c. Beg for goodies subtly
d. Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa
e. Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach
6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:
a. Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important)
b. Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house
c. Tolerate children
d. Turn on your charm big time
7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night.
DON'T BITE HIM!!
Merry Christmas to you All!! and be kind to your Pets. Be sure to sign into my Googles Friend Connect Widget before you leave to show you love animals and have joined our cause to fight against animal cruelty. Also do leave a small donation to help feed and shelter these dogs who deserve to also have a happy holiday. Whatever donation you can give is greatly appreciated.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
'twas the Night Before Christmas (dog version)
'twas the Night Before Christmas (dog version)
It was about time for Christmas, and all through the house
A creature was stirring, but it wasn't a mouse
I knew right away it was my wife's little pup,
She thought we were sleeping, and so she was up
The dog was a gift it was coercion, really,
A woman can pout, 'til a man gets downright silly.
And now the wife was snoozing she was really sacked out
She wouldn't have awoke from less than a shout.
Yes, her in her nightgown, I in my BVDs,
We had finally settled down to catch some Zs
When off in the kitchen there arose such a clatter,
I rolled from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away down the hall, my head in a muddle,
I reached the kitchen...and stepped in a puddle.
The glow from a nightlight illuminated the room,
So how come I stumbled over the broom?
I fell in a sprawl, my legs were not stable.
On the way down, my nose hit the table.
My head was a spinnin' and when I came to rest
Four miniature dog feet stood on my chest.
With a lick and a bark, she bounded away,
Into the living room, she ran to play.
More rapid than mouses, that rat terrier ran,
Me on the follow, rolled newspaper in hand.
"Stop, Skeeter! Stop, Dog! Stop, Pup!
Halt, Pooch! Halt, Girl! Oh, come'ere, you mutt!
"Get off the new couch! Now let go of that curtain!
Ohhh...If I ever catch you, you're gonna' be hurtin'"
As winds of a Texas tornado do fly,
She spun round the room, down low and up high.
Then up on the countertop, that puppy went
She stopped for a second. I thought she was spent.
I make a quick lunge, she ducked me and then
Yawned when I dove through the flour bin.
As I drew out my head and was turning around,
She made for the presents, in a single bound.
I was covered with flour, from my head to my toes,
My robe in tatters, and blood on my nose.
A bag full of toys, she grabbed with glee
I nabbed her, I thought, but instead got the tree.
The ornaments, they broke, as they began to fall
The lights, how they fizzled, and that is not all.
When I reached for the plug, to turn the bulbs out,
What flowed through my body, but electricity, so stout!
As smoke encircled my head like a wreath,
That dog held my big toe, tight in her teeth.
"Skeeter," I moaned, "I give up. Oh, Skeet, I give in."
So she bit my swollen nose, and nipped at my chin.
She spoke not a word, but went back to work,
Down came the stockings it took just a jerk.
Then up from the hall, came the sound of feet,
Momma, it seemed was awake from her sleep.
"Now you'll get it pup," I announced with glee.
Then Skeeter walked over and put her little head on my knee.
She looked up at my wife - so innocent - and at me, so, so sad.
And it didn't take long, to know I'd been had.
Then came the wife's voice, so strong and so clear,
"Bill, you leave that puppy alone! You hear!"
And I exclaimed to myself, as they walked out with a strut,
"Don't leave any gifts, Santa just PICK UP THE MUTT!"
'The night before Christmas' was written by Bill McClellan
Please give a donation before you leave here its to feed and shelter dogs who deserve better lives. Also be sure to sign into my Googles Friends connect widget.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Keep your Dog Safe for the Holidays
My dear loyal readers nd friends: Sorry I have been away for fo long but its this old computer of mine it crashes when it wants to and I cannot afford to get a tech to fix it so I have to do it myself and it took me this long to get it working again But I hope you all still stoppped by to visit with me here and read some of my older posts and checked out the ads. Please be patient and bear with me when this happens I will do my best to get this old computer up and working again until the end lets not hope it gets to that.. Anyway Im so happy to be back with you all and lets hope I can remain . For these dogs depend on me to blog for them and all you dog lovers and dog people depend on me to continue to give you doggie tips and share my dog stories with you and doggie poems and dog pictures and dog news and funny stories also, so now let me share these tips about keeping your dog safe for the holidays. and I do wish all of you Happy Holidays.......
The holidays are all about family, friends, fun and food - but sometimes it's easy to forget about holiday safety for your dog. We all want our dogs to be part of the celebration, but there are some important guidelines to follow. Keep your dog safe this holiday season - no one wants their holiday celebration to end up at the veterinary emergency clinic!
No table scraps! Just because we humans like to indulge in the feast does not mean it is good for our dogs. Rich, fatty foods can seriously upset your dog's stomach and even be toxic. It is especially important to keep your dog away from the following dangerous foods:
•Onions, which can cause anemia
•Chocolate
•Bones (especially cooked bones and ANY poultry bones)
•Alcoholic beverages
•Any foods high in fat, sodium and/or sugar
There are some human foods that are okay for dogs, so if you want to give Max or Maggie a special treat you have some options. Try a small piece of cooked turkey or chicken without skin or bones (and hold the gravy). Raw carrots and apples in moderate amounts are actually healthy for dogs. Just remember - everything in moderation.
Watch the holiday decorations! Most dogs are curious by nature, so they will want to check out any additions to the decor. Sniffing can lead to chewing, or even ingestion of foreign objects. Keep electrical cords tucked away and other decorations or holiday plants out of reach. Watch out for dangling objects that can be pulled down and cause injury. Candles should never be left unattended. Also, if you have a Christmas tree, don't let your dog drink the tree water - it can make her sick.
Don't let your dog get lost in the shuffle. Holiday parties and gatherings can mean lots of commotion. This might be fun for you, but not for your dog. Lots of people in your home can result in injury or stress for your dog. A large crowd is not the place for most dogs, so consider keeping her in a crate or quiet room - especially if she is the nervous type. If she is comfortable around a smaller group, just make sure you set down the ground rules with your company: don't feed the dog and keep the doors closed! Many pets get loose and run off during the holiday season. Though your dog should always wear a collar with current identification, this is especially important during the holiday season. Sadly, many dogs run off and become lost during the holiday season. don't let yours be one of them.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The World's Ugliest Dog and a bit of Strange Facts
Saturday, October 16, 2010
TOSCA
The names of people in this story have been changed.
One chilly winter’s morning, in Harare, Zimbabwe, I wandered outside with my dog Tosca’s biscuits only to discover that Tosca had gone! I was absolutely devastated!
My German Shepherd, Tosca, had been an absolute delight in my life for the past eight years. She has the most loving nature and this is shown to everyone who gives her the time of day – children, old people, young people of all races. She was not a wanderer and I was at a loss as to what had happened to her.
I soon discovered a broken electric gate - the thieves seemed to have scaled the 8-foot high wall and tampered with the gate motor. We immediately began canvassing the neighbourhood and asking questions.
Everyone I knew became involved: friends, colleagues and everyone else I could speak to started putting the word out. Tosca, my best and most loyal friend, was gone and I would not rest until I had found out what happened to her. We drove around a 20 km radius of the house and stopped and asked people if they had seen her. We searched in storm ditches, bushy areas, golf courses and empty houses. We were given a few leads, but they came to naught. I was frantic!
Later that day a chap from the local golf course came sheepishly to our door and said he knew who had taken Tosca! It was a caddy called Walter, who had worked for me. Miracle of miracles! It sounded like a very credible lead and we jumped onto it immediately. I commandeered the support of our local police station and filed a "missing dog report". They took it very seriously and were as helpful as they could be given that they had no transport, no pens, and no paper! I provided pens, paper and transport and set about trying to find the fellow who had allegedly taken Tosca. He normally lived at the golf course club, but news travels fast and by the time we got there, he had disappeared.
We established that Walter had a girlfriend in a squatter camp (shanty town) and we worked on the notion that perhaps he had gone there with Tosca. We got the "address" and headed off there in the late afternoon. My family and friends wanted to come with us but I would not let them. I knew it could be dangerous and I would have felt terrible if anyone got hurt.
The first farm invasion and murder of a white farmer had taken place by black so-called “war veterans” who wanted all the land back for themselves. These war veterans had moved en masse into the city areas and were building shacks all over the place. There was a sense of tangible unease in Harare and it was even worse in the farming areas. There is a large high-density area outside Harare called Epworth, and Epworth Overflow has all the shacks and homes built by folk who could not fit into Epworth proper – and these were mainly war veterans and their families and any other trouble causer without a base! So, when one got an address in Epworth Overflow, that's all one got, EPWORTH OVERFLOW! It is a HUGE area covering many hectares, with no electricity, no running water, no roads and many, many people. Epworth is famous for balancing rocks and scattered amongst these rocks were houses built out of mud, scrap roofing and plastic. There was no municipal service there, so the tracks made by masses of human traffic were full of rubbish and raw sewerage.
Let's set the scene again, a white woman, a black caddy called Roy, and a black junior police constable go wandering through Epworth Overflow. Roy told me to always stay in the car because the war veterans hated white people and he told the police constable to go carefully because the war veterans hated policemen more than white people!! So we asked Roy if he would get out and try and find the woman and he said, "No madam, the policeman can go because he is paid for doing this kind of stupid thing". He also told me to always park the car in a "go away position" in case the people attacked us.
We drove along bumpy, filthy tracks from section to section, stopping only where I could park my double cab bakkie in the "go away position" - not that I could ever have found my way out of this maze of tracks back onto a road that resembled a normal tar road!! The policeman would hop out and speak to people asking if they had seen a man matching Walter's description with a dog. Although the men in the area treated him with suspicion and some hostility, the women and children happily told all! After a few hours of doing this, and by this time it was very dark, we found out that he had gone with Tosca to one of the local shabeens. (illegal tavern) Great! Now we had to go deeper into Epworth Overflow!
Epworth Overflow was intriguing at night. In Zimbabwe there was no petrol at this time, or any other kind of standard liquid fuel. So, the folk of this area used old cooking oil to light their homes. In the area where we were now parked in the "go away position" there were dozens of little tables set up under balancing rocks where people were selling home made lamps using old cooking oil. The whole place reeked of stale oil! The little lamps were made from any type of glass container, Coke bottles, jam jars etc. and a bit
of string as the wick fixed in place by anything available ranging from bits of shoes to tin foil gathered from dustbin contents. Hence the eerie, unreal feel of the place with the glow of these oil lamps everywhere!!
We went off to the shabeen, and the less than well-paid policeman went inside. His entrance into the shabeen in uniform caused a mass exodus of clients who then lurked in the shadows to see if their illegal activities were under scrutiny. They were not, of course and slowly the patrons returned to their warm beers. After a few minutes the cop came out again and told us that Walter had been seen dragging Tosca off to the industrial areas earlier that day. Apparently the person who had hired him to steal the dog refused to give him his price, so Walter dragged Tosca on foot around the industrial areas trying to sell her as a guard dog. Our search had to stop for the night as the industrial areas were all closed by 10 p.m.
Next day we went to the industrial areas, met with less than salubrious individuals, paid out large sums of money for the next clue. We were a strange team, but a team we were, and nothing was going to stop us!
Our pets NEVER give up on us, no matter what we do, and so we should not give up on them. Nor does God give up on us - it's simple principle that in today's world we too easily forget - DON'T GIVE UP! There is good around every corner.
The next day we got a major breakthrough. Walter returned to the golf club to collect his possessions and Roy caught him there and handed him over to the police. The police called me and asked if I could come and collect him and two policemen so that we could re-trace his steps over the past few days. I did this and the temptation to throttle Walter when I saw him was SO powerful, but God got hold of my emotions and quickly settled them. We then spent a full day with a reluctant Walter driving from spot to spot with him denying that he had ever seen any dog anywhere ever!! The policemen were not convinced. They started giving Walter a royal beating in my car and I begged them to stop right away! I could not be party to this - I just wanted Tosca back and I almost begged Walter to tell the truth and I would not press charges. He refused, so the policemen hauled him out of my car into the bush. They proceeded to remove his shoes and beat the soles of his feet with bamboo poles. Again I intervened and told them to stop this brutality. They said, "Madam, we know our own people, if you want your dog back then this is the ONLY way we'll find her". I could not let them continue and so I took them back the station knowing my cause might be lost.
Something happened overnight and Walter told the police where he had eventually taken Tosca!! The police called me with the news and again I went round and collected my travel companions from the station. We drove to a factory where a Turkish businessman was deeply affronted at us bringing Walter there who then pointed a finger at this man and declared that he had bought Tosca from him. On failing to sell Tosca to the security companies at the industrial sites, Walter had gone back to the businessman who originally hired him. He sold Tosca for a miserable price.
The businessman reluctantly gave us the address where Tosca was and then asked for his money back - ASKED FOR HIS MONEY BACK!!! Can you believe it? The cop was smart and he told him that he could claim his money back from the state after he had faced possession of stolen property charges!! The ONLY time I felt really threatened was when I was facing that businessman! He was so angry and so volatile that I thought he would hurt all of us. Otherwise, all the Zimbabweans I had first hand dealings with were not aggressive at all.
The team was not to be stopped now! We got to a house in the suburbs that looked like Fort Knox! 12-foot wall, CCTV camera's positioned on the corners and at the driveway, four lock up garages with no windows and steel roll doors which were securely locked. Not your average house and very obviously a front for some other type of business!! Locked up in cages in the back yard were a number of dogs - one of them was my beloved Tosca! Apart from being a bit tired and extremely dirty she was in fine shape and the SPCA were called in to take the other dogs away.
Walter was locked up for 2 years but released for good behaviour after six months. I was playing golf shortly after his release when he approached me on the golf course and tried to sell me some found golf balls!!! I asked him if he recognised me and he said he did and that he had forgiven me!!
One has to laugh!
Tosca had been dragged on foot across over 50 km of the worst parts of Harare for five days, presumably no-one bothered to feed or water her and she was very tender in places - I assumed she had been given a few good whacks.
After a visit to the vet for a check up, a bath and a good feed and water Tosca collapsed in a heap and slept for two days solid. God took care of her during that time and He took care of us in our posse! We went to places where people just did not venture in a time when Zim was in a lot of turmoil. We were most certainly in danger. But, God watched over us and He guided us to the right place at the right time.
Please give a small donation here and help fight against animal cruelty. Also do sign into my Googles friend connect widget and show your our friend. Subscribe to my reders feeds here. http://feeds.feedburner.com/DogCents
Friday, October 15, 2010
Choosing the Right Dog Toy for your Dog
If you have a very small dog then buying it a very large ball or toy will be pointless and the dog will become bored with it very easily. You can buy some very good motivational toys which are designed to give your dog a treat when they work out how to dispense the treats. These are excellent for dogs that bore easily and hard wearing toys are recommended or you will be replacing them often. If your dog likes to destroy their toys then you will end up spending a fortune if you buy cheaper less destructible ones. Although cheaper options may seem better the more expensive ones are made from better materials with dogs in mind.
Squeaky toys may seem like a good idea when you are stood in the pet store but imagine when you get home and your dog bites it over and over. This style of toys are great but only if you can tolerate the noise. Balls, Frisbees and tug toys are excellent for you to be able to get involved with your dog and play with them. You should ensure that you buy toys that are designed for dogs as they are non toxic and safe for them to play with.
Both you and your dog with benefit from giving them dog toys, they are a perfect way for you to bond with your dog and they will be less bored. They will love playing on their own with the toys and when you return home then you can play as well. You have to care for your dog well when you own one and this involves all elements from their health to their exercise program. By helping those to play and be less bored then you are displaying great pet ownership and you can be proud that you are looking after your dog well.
Please give a small donation before you leave to help fight against animal cruelty . Help us to save the dogs who have been abanoned and need food and shelter and most of all Love. Thank you
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Ways to Spot animal cruelty
Animal cruelty can come in various forms. You could have observed someone physically hurting an animal. Animal cruelty can also be in the form of malnutrition when animal owners don’t feed their pets properly. Generally, what causes injury and suffering to an animal can be considered animal cruelty.
One way of fighting animal abuse is to report it as soon as it is spotted. Here are some things you can do to prevent animal cruelty.
Be Aware
Keep your eyes and ears open. Your local humane society or animal shelter wouldn’t know several instances of animal abuse without those concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhood through phone calls. So, do your part and be on the look out for animals in your own neighborhood. This could be a possible indicator of neglect or abuse.
Learn to Distinguish Animal Cruelty
Signs and Symptoms – There are signs and symptoms observed in most abused animals. Watch out for wounds on the body, patches of missing hair, extremely thin and starving animals, limping and tick or flea infestations. An owner who is physically abusing an animal is abusive. Dogs left chained in the yard and without access to food and water is a neglectful act. Animals hit by a car and not taken to a veterinarian is also a neglectful act. These are all forms of animal cruelty.
Report Animal Cruelty
Know who to call when reporting animal cruelty. There are some states that have Humane Law Enforcement officers who can investigate and arrest perpetrators of animal cruelty. In some towns, you may have to call the police department or local animal control. Know who to call. Also, when reporting an incident, make sure that you provide as much information possible. The details will mean a lot to the investigating officer. Try writing down the type of cruelty you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident, and where it happened.
Do Some Proactive Steps to Fight Animal Cruelty
Animal cruelty is a crime. Write or call your local law enforcement departments and tell them that investigating animal cruelty should be a main concern. Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state or local levels. Have signature petitions. Write letters to legislators. Stronger laws mean tougher penalties, and punishment for animal cruelty should be harsher! Support your local animal rescue organization or local shelter. Volunteer at animal shelters and rescue groups in your area.
Lastly, set a good example for others. You can prevent animal cruelty and it starts within you. If you are a pet owner, make sure that you always show your pets the love and care that they ought to have. Always provide food, fresh water, shelter and medical treatment if your pet is sick. Have your animals spayed or neutered. Be a responsible pet owner. And to top it off, a lot of hugs and kisses won’t hurt!
Save the animals and stop animal cruelty. Learn more how you can prevent animal cruelty in your neighborhood. Please give a small Donation here at DogCents before you leave anything you can give will help towards buying food and giving shelter to these poor dogs who have been aboandoned. Open you hearts and dig into your pockets and give show that you care.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rashel_Dan
Monday, October 4, 2010
Haloween Dog Pictures
Funny Haloween dog pictures This one is dressed in a Hoola skirt.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Ill. woman charged in dog poop-infused meltdown
DOG NEWS
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Dog owners, beware: If you live in suburban Chicago and don't pick up after your pet, you might get tossed an unpleasant reminder. Police in Naperville said a woman who stepped in dog feces outside her apartment appears to have retaliated by heaving it at the door of her neighbor who owns a dog.
Susan Miller was charged with disorderly conduct after her bizarre protest Wednesday.
The Naperville Sun reported that police say Miller also uprooted a sign telling residents to pick up dog waste and placed it on the neighbor's patio. Miller was arrested after the neighbor called police.
An unapologetic Miller said that if she can pick up the poop from her 80-pound dog, her neighbor can pick up after a 20-pound dog.
Naperville is about 30 miles west of Chicago.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Dog Home Remedies you can find in your home
Many of these natural home remedies for dogs are quite easy to obtain. For example, do you have garlic in your kitchen? Most people do and use it to cook up tasty dishes but never consider that it is an effective flea repellant.
What about mineral oil, olive oil or almond oil? These are also common household items that can be used for a variety of different purposes. Did you know that they are also effective for treating ear infections or ear mites in dogs?
Do you treat your own skin with Vitamin E? It's a common way to soothe irritated and dry skin. If your dog suffers from irritated skin as a result of allergies, try applying a bit to their skin to see rapid improvement.
What about oats? They are excellent for adding to your dog's bath water if he has problems with allergies and as a result spends a lot of time itching and scratching. Just a handful of oats added to your dog's bath water can help to soothe his irritated skin.
Epsom salts are excellent additives if your dog has problems with his feet. Just add a bit to some water and then soak your dog's feet. Remember to take care that he does not drink the water.
Natural home remedies for dogs are safe, easy and inexpensive solutions to many health problems that may plague your dog. Be sure to give a donation to help feed and shelter abandoned dogs who need your donations show you care. Click on the Donate buttons.. Thank you Be sure to sign in The Googles Friends Connect and show your our friend. Follow me on Twitter @lilruth Vote for me at http://bloginterviewer.com/animals/dogcents-ruth
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Purina publishes FaceBook Game for Pet Lovers
Pet lovers who enjoy the thrill of building and managing fun places on online games will have an opportunity to test their skill on the new "Purina® Pet Resort" game. Nestle Purina PetCare Company, one of the world's leading pet food manufacturers, is now publishing its new "Purina® Pet Resort" simulation game on Facebook. Players can become the manager of their own virtual pet-themed resort, allowing them to build and operate a fun place to pamper, care for and entertain virtual pets.
The game is Purina's latest effort toward providing online and mobile entertainment and information for pet owners.
"Pet lovers spend a lot of time online and using mobile devices for fun and to enhance the relationship with their pets," said Guy Fish, assistant brand manager, Purina® brand. "Purina® Pet Resort caters to pet lovers who enjoy online games and would like to create a virtual haven for their four-legged friends."
"Resort" owners can purchase a variety of pet-themed stations where virtual pets can be groomed or fed with Purina® brand pet foods and treats such as Purina® Dog Chow® brand Dog Food, Fancy Feast® and Beggin' Strips®. The game focuses on the stations and the resort owners' ability to move up levels by taking care of more pets.
Merscom, a global publisher of Facebook and casual computer games, developed and published "Purina® Pet Resort." Merscom is owned by Playdom, Inc., which is involved in marketing the new game.
Purina recently introduced an enhanced version of its "petcentric" mobile application that is now available for iPhone®, iPad®, iPod Touch® and BlackBerry® users. "petcentric" provides pet owners an engaging mobile experience through location-based utility, entertaining content featuring videos and photos, and relevant pet information.
The new "petcentric" features offer a gallery of top pet news stories and videos every day, and new ways to search for professional pet sitters and pet-friendly places using GPS technology. In addition, pet lovers can rate and comment on pet-friendly locations and add their own favorite places.
Purina also offers a glimpse into the world from a pet's point of view at www.petcentric.com
Before you leave be sure to sgin into our Friends Connect Widget and show you care. Become one of our Friends here on DogCents. Also please leave a donation to help feed and shelter these abandoned dogs we take care of, your help is desperately needed. If you love dogs and hate animal cruelty then click on the Donate Buttons on here and help save a dogs life When you do give a donation we will publish your name and name of your Blog on here and we will make sure all the world wide web knows you donated to help feed and shelter these strays. Thank you Lilyruth
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Dogs Trust Slams RSPCA Dog Licence Proposal
In what appears to be a battle of the ‘my idea is better than your idea’, The Dogs Trust have hit out at the RSPCA’s call for the reintroduction of a national dog licence for English dog owners. The charity has issued a statement claiming, without a hint of irony, that the take up for the licence in Northern Ireland is poor and so the ‘better’ approach would be compulsory microchipping. The charity doesn’t explain (as it hasn’t to date) how or why it believes that their compulsory microchipping idea would be taken up by the dog owners who they claim would not take up other compulsory measures but they do go on to mention that you can pay the Dogs Trust £10 to get a microchip for your dog.
Source: DogMagazine.net – the K9 Magazine blog
Please be sure to give a small donation to help feed and give shelter to dogs who have been abandoned and need our help. Also be sure to sign into my Googles Friends wqidget on here and show your our friend. Follow me on Twitter @lilruth
Monday, June 14, 2010
Why Own A Dog?
Why own a dog? There's danger you know,
You can't own just one, the craving will grow.
There's no doubt they're addictive, wherein lies the danger,
While living with lots, you'll grow poorer and stranger.
One dog is so funny, and two are no trouble,
The third one is easy, the fourth one's a honey.
the fifth's delightful, the sixth one's a breeze,
You find you can live with a house full with ease.
So how 'bout another? Would you really dare?
They're really quite easy, but Lord, the hair.
With dogs on the sofa, and dogs on the bed,
And crates in the kitchen, it's no bother, you've said.
They're really no trouble, their manners are great.
What's just one more dog, and one more crate?
The sofa is hairy, the windows are crusty,
The floor is all footprints, the furniture is dusty,
The housekeeping suffers, but what do you care?
Who minds a few nose prints, and a little more hair?
So let's keep a puppy, you can always find room,
And a little more time for the dust cloth and broom.
There's hardly a limit to the dogs you can add,
The thought of a cutback sure makes you sad.
Each one is so special, so useful, so funny,
The Vet, the food bills grow larger, you owe money,
Your folks never visit, few friends come to stay,
Except other dog folks, who live the same way.
Your lawn has now died, and your shrubs are dead too,
But your weekends are busy, you're off with the crew.
There's dog food and vitamins, and training and shots,
And entries and motels which cost lots.
Is it worth it you wonder? Are you caught in a trap?
Then your favorite dog comes and climbs in your lap.
His look says your special, and you know that you will,
Keep all of the critters, in spite of the bills.
Author Unknown
Please be sure to leave a donation to help give food and shelter to dogs who have been abandoned. Open your hearts and give whatever you can if your a dog lover and you hate animal cruelty then do give a donation to help save these strays who deserve better lives. Just click on the Donaste buttons here and help.. Also be sure to sign in to my Googles Friend Connect widget and show your our friend and you care about dogs.Be sure to Subscribe to my readers feeds and do go and vote for me at http://bloginterviewer.com/animals/dogcents-ruth
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Easy Cheesy Doggie Treats
Easy Cheesy Treats
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 3/4 cups grated cheddar cheese, room temperature
1 stick margarine
Easy Cheesy Doggie Treats you can make in your kitchen.............
Directions: Blend cheese with margarine and flour. Shape into 2 logs, about 2 " wide. Chill in the refrigerator. Cut into 1/4" slices and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake in 375°F oven for 15 minutes or until brown and firm.. Allow to cool completely before serving.
Be sure to sign up and join Googles Friends connect here and show your our friend.. Also Follow me on Twitter.@lilruth.....IF you love dogs and hate animal cruelty then please do give a small donation before you leave your donation will go towards buying dog food and giving shelter to dogs who have no home and need your help. Thank you and God Bless....
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Check out these adorable ugly-pet-sweater photos!
Last week we asked you to send us your ugly pet sweater pics. The results were even cuter than we could have expected! Here are some samples.
Lori Renner writes: "Thank goodness Kasey doesn't fit in this anymore!" (We think Kasey looks adorable!)
Angela M. Shatzer of Carolina Poodle Rescue in Spartanburg, SC, writes: "Here is one of our Chinese Crested dogs at our shelter. She's so sweet. One of our kennel workers call her 'Hot Momma.' She loves to hug her leg all day long."
Megan Goetz writes: "Mrs. Murphy is ready for the holidays! Cheers!"
Amanda Tredway writes: "This is Landon, a Yorkie mix. He is currently up for adoption through PPAWSS, Promoting Pet Adoptions and Welfare in Sulphur Springs (Texas). Thanks, I hope you enjoy!"
See even more adorable pups in ugly sweaters after the jump
Cheyenne writes: "We call her Tubba Lubba because she's such a love hound, but Isabel definitely looks like a chub of sausage in this sweater. I hate to (not really) dress her up, but she's rubbed all the hair off her belly and her armpits ... Really, the sweater is for her own good! My husband hates it because it's pink, but I love it. She looks so cute! But I realized we had to get something more comfortable fitting when her diet didn't work -- it looked like the sweater was starting to cut off her circulation. She gets depressed when I start putting clothes on her -- she immediately gets in her bed and tries to sleep. So now I only "torture" her if it's really, really cold out (and then she doesn't seem to mind so much)."
Megan Fisher writes: "This is my baby Bella! She is a lab/pit bull mix I adopted from the Bowling Green Warren County Humane Society (in Kentucky). We call this her 'Cosby Sweater.' She loves it!"
Be sure before you leave to sign in and join my Googles Friends Connect Widget and become a friend at Dogcents. Also please goand vote for me at http://bloginterviewer.com/animals/dogcents-ruth each vote each day is towards feeding and shelter to dogs who need your help to have better lives. Open your hearts and leave a small donation just click on the Donate Button here. Sunday, May 9, 2010
Behavioral Problems of Unneutered Male Dogs
A few years ago, Bob and Ginny consulted me because their beagle, Max, was "doing embarrassing things." It seems that whenever their female beagle, Betsy, left traces of an oily substance where she'd been sleeping, Max would investigate it carefully, then jump on a pillow and mount it! To be sure, he had first tried mounting Betsy, but she'd snapped at him. He'd also given his owners' legs a few tries, but they'd rebuffed him, too. Bob and Ginny were puzzled; Max had been neutered when he was less than a year old. He shouldn't be doing these things, should he?
I paid a visit to Bob and Ginny's home so I could directly observe the dogs' behaviors. Max was three years old at the time. With his broad head and large chest, he looked much more masculine to me than most neutered dogs. In taking a detailed history of the dogs, I learned that Max had been obtained from a friend when he was a little over a year old. He had been neutered by the friend's veterinarian. At that time, Max had no problem behaviors. Sometime during the next year, he began to lift his leg in certain places in the house and run away every chance he got. When he was about two years old, he began to fight with male dogs. It was shortly after this that the mounting behavior started. Jumping on his pillow after sniffing where Betsy had been sleeping had developed over the past few months.
The Pillow Case
What was stimulating Max to do this? To find out, I rubbed every part of Betsy's body with a paper towel and presented the towel to Max. It was only when I expressed Betsy's anal sacs that I produced the problem behavior. Bob and Ginny confirmed that the fluid I expressed from Betsy looked like the oily substance they had been finding on their furniture and in Betsy's bed. So I had my diagnosis: an unusual attraction to anal sac secretion by a very masculine-looking, macho-acting, neutered dog!
It's not that unusual for neutered dogs to exhibit male behaviors, such as roaming, mounting, urine marking (leg lifting on objects) in the house and fighting with male dogs. Max, however, exhibited all of them, and frequently! Plus, he didn't look neutered. To verify that he had been, I drew blood to have testosterone levels run. To everyone's surprise, Max's testosterone levels were those of an intact male!
At this point, I contacted the veterinary hospital that had performed Max's neuter. The doctor who had done the surgery had left the practice, but the hospital's records revealed that one of Max's testicles had never descended. While this is not unusual, it's very important if this happens that the testicles be removed. If one or both are allowed to remain inside the abdomen, not only will they continue to produce testosterone and cause the male behaviors that Max was displaying, but they also are prone to developing cancer. But in Max's case, the records showed that rather than removing the testicle, the veterinarian had performed a vasectomy!
Peace At Last
My recommendation was to have Max really neutered. Studies show that no matter how old a dog is when he's neutered, the results are the same: testosterone-related behaviors of roaming, urine marking, mounting and same-sex dog aggression decrease or disappear. I also recommended that Betsy's anal sacs be expressed at least once a month so that her secretions would not leak out during sleep.
Max improved after being neutered. The roaming stopped altogether. However, not all of his male behaviors disappeared completely. Occasionally he still lifted his leg in the house and fought with other dogs. Keeping him confined to the kitchen when he was alone and supervising him at other times controlled the urine marking. Walking him on leash controlled the fighting. Bob and Ginny were overjoyed! And last but not least, their pillows lay unmolested on the sofa.
Dr. Amy Marder is vice president of behavioral medicine and head of ASPCA Companion Animal Services.
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Monday, May 3, 2010
How to Stop UnWanted Dog Barking
Humans are tremendously vocal creatures. Despite our own talkative tendencies, we tend not to appreciate "excessive" vocalizations from our dogs. Rest assured, your dog does not feel her barking is excessive. When she barks, she is trying to communicate with you. Learning why she barks is the key to stop your dog from barking.
Depending on the reason for barking and your own training skill level, you may need to consult with a qualified trainer/behaviorist to assist you with the training. For more on selecting a behavior professional, check out the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior guidelines for choosing a trainer.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
Just as there are many reasons humans speak, dog barking occurs for a number of reasons. Here are a few of the most common:
Distance decreasing: Distance decreasing barking can also be considered attention-seeking barking. The dog is barking to communicate with the owner - "pay attention to me!"
Boredom: Evaluate your dog's lifestyle. How much physical exercise is she getting? How much social stimulation through appropriate play with other dogs? How much play does she get with you? Is she getting adequate mental stimulation in the form of both training and problem solving? If your dog is barking because of boredom, consider more physical exercise, more positive training, and introduce new toys and games for environmental enrichment (consider Buster Cubes, Kong toys, kibble hunts, Nina Ottosson toys, marrow bones, chew toys, bully sticks, antlers, etc.).
Frustration: While some frustration barking is boredom barking, not all boredom barking is frustration barking. Often in class, dogs bark when their owners have poor timing or because the rate of reinforcement is too low, the dog is frustrated because the signals are unclear. This dogster thread will help you improve your training skills.
Dogs also bark out of frustration when they are not sure what is expected of them - if you are asking for a behavior in a new environment without sufficient proofing, your dog is communicating to you that further training is needed before she can focus on cue response in that environment.
Separation distress/anxiety: True separation anxiety (destruction to self or property) is a topic beyond the scope of this article. If your dog is injuring herself or destroying your home, please seek the assistance of a behaviorist in addressing the issue.
If you believe your dog has separation distress (limited vocalization, no injury to self or property), consider how long she is left alone - if it is more than eight hours for an adult (even shorter periods of separation are recommended for puppies), find a dog walker or pet sitter to break the day up. Provide her with mental stimulation through puzzle toys, kibble hunts, etc., when she is alone. Greetings and exits should be low key. If her separation distress worsens, consult with a behavioral professional.
Invitation to play: Some dogs bark to say, "Hey, I want to meet/play with you NOW NOW NOW!" (puppy barking frequently falls in this category). These barks are generally high pitched, and are often accompanied by wagging "propeller tails," loose/wiggly body language, play bows and jumping. Ask those who would like to interact with her to wait for calm, quiet behavior before greeting to avoid reinforcing the behavior. Also, click her for looking at people or other dogs/greeting quietly and for quiet or for focus on you despite these distractions.
Distance increasing: Distance increasing barking is a defensive behavior - the dog is trying to ward off potential conflict.
Distance increasing barks are generally low in pitch and may accompany intimidating body language including a stiffly wagging tail, rigid body posture, display of teeth, growling/snarling, snapping, kicking of back feet, etc.
If you suspect your dog is reactive or aggressive, it is best to consult with a qualified professional with experience using counter conditioning and desensitization to rehabilitate dogs as soon as possible.
A full veterinary evaluation including thyroid panel is advised for aggressive/reactive dogs.
(Barrier frustration is included in the category of distance increasing behavior and usually involves barking/lunging on leash or behind/inside of cars, fences, gates, or crates.)
Alert barking: Humans have been selecting for barking in dogs for millennia. This behavior is deeply ingrained in the dog, and is generally not a problem for pet owners unless it becomes "excessive."
As alert barking is generally very self-reinforcing, your best bet is to train an alternative, incompatible behavior ("quiet!"). Here is a great article from Karen Pryor on teaching bark/quiet as a paired cue to bring barking under control.
Can I Stop Dog Barking?
Short answer: No. Surgical debarking is never humane and rarely effective in totally eliminating vocalizations. Dogs bark! You can, however, train your dog to stop excessive barking behavior if you listen to why she barks and respond appropriately with effective, positive training.
Be sure to give a donation to help feed and shelter stray dogs who need your help. Join my Google Friends Connect here and show you care. Also Please Vote for me at http://bloginterviewer.com/animals/dogcents-ruth Your Votes are important. Take a minute to Adgitize my ads here just click on my ads and help fight animal cruelty. Follow Me on Twitter @lilruth
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