Sign ur paws woof ya?

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Pet dog's death at AVA centre raises worrying questions

MY DOG escaped from our yard on Wednesday after he found a small hole in the fence of our new premises. Luckily (so I thought) he was found by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on the same day, and the staff informed me the next morning.

When I visited AVA's Centre for Animal Welfare and Control immediately, I was advised to wait as my dog needed to be micro-chipped. I was also told that my dog would not allow anyone to touch him as he was very scared.

I offered to calm him down and hold him while they did the procedure, but the staff opted to do it themselves.

Five minutes later, I was escorted into a room where they told me that my dog had to be forcefully restrained by the neck and when they finished, he had collapsed and died.

I never got to see him, only his lifeless body. While my family is grief-stricken and my children inconsolable, the attitude of the AVA staff was business as usual.

Who polices the activities at the AVA centre? Is there care and compassion, and proper facilities, and are staff trained to handle terrified dogs?

Perhaps this is one reason for a public perception that calls for changes to conditions at puppy mills and for the humane treatment of strays have fallen on deaf ears.

The AVA offered to do a post-mortem on the dog and we are waiting to see what the results are.

Isabel Motyka (Mrs)


Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_654582.html

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Photo Shooting at Fort Canning

Today, our jie jies together with Brana Jie jie bring us(Amber & Dawn) with Chocolate to Fort Canning for a photo Shoot... Our jie jies enter us into Club Pets Cover Search 2011 contest so that's our purpose of visiting Fort Canning today for a nice photo shoot by the professional photographer,Lundy.

our jie jies took us there earlier then the appointed photo shoot time to get us warmed up and familiarise with the place... along the way,our jie jie took some photos of us too!!!


posing with the canon...


OS from AD: we don't know what's that though our jie jie told us it's a canon... can it be eaten...???

after walking for 1 hours plus exploring the place, the thirsty us drinking water..


US resting on the bench nearby while our jie jie went to buy can drinks from nearby vending machines...


not long after resting awhile, we proceed to the photo shooting... we enjoyed the whole process, it's a brand new experience...

Sunday, April 17, 2011

All about our breeds (Jack Russell Terrier, Maltese and Japanese Spitz)

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/abc.htm

Jack Russell Terrier
(Russell Terrier) (Rebel Terrier)

Russell Terrier
Photo Courtesy of Three Mile Jacks
.

Pronunciation

Jack Russell Terrier
Description
A sturdy, tough terrier, very much on its toes all the time. The body length must be in proportion to the height, and it should present a compact, balanced image, always being in solid, hard condition. The head should be well balanced and in proportion to the body. The skull should be flat, of moderate width at the ears, narrowing to the eyes. There should be a defined stop, which is the transition area from backskull to muzzle, but not overpronounced. The length of the muzzle from the nose to the stop should be slightly shorter than the distance from the stop to the occiput. The nose should be black. The jaw should be powerful and well boned with strongly muscled cheeks. Eyes Should be almond shaped, dark in color and full of life and intelligence. The ears are small "V" shaped drop ears carried forward close to the head and of moderate thickness. Mouth Strong teeth with the top slightly overlapping the lower. Two bites are acceptable; level and scissor - scissor being preferred. The neck is clean and muscular, of good length, gradually widening at the shoulders. The shoulders should be sloping and well laid back, fine at points and clearly cut at the withers. Forelegs should be strong and straight boned with joints in correct alignment. Elbows hanging perpendicular to the body and working free of the sides. The chest should be shallow, narrow and the front legs not too widely apart, giving an athletic, rather than heavily chested appearance. As a guide only, the chest should be small enough to be easily spanned behind the shoulders, by average sized hands, when the terrier is in a fit, working condition. The back should be strong, straight and, in comparison to the height of the terrier, give a balanced image. The loin should be slightly arched. The hindquarters should be strong and muscular, well put together with good angulation and bend of stifle, giving plenty of drive and propulsion. Looking from behind, the hocks must be straight. The feet are round, hard padded, wide, of cat-like appearance, neither turning in nor out. The tail should be set rather high, carried gaily and in proportion to body length, usually about four inches long, providing a good hand-hold. The coat is smooth, without being so sparse as not to provide a certain amount of protection from the elements and undergrowth. Rough or broken coated, without being woolly. Colors, white should predominate (i.e., must be more than 51% white) with tan, black, or brown markings. Brindle markings are unacceptable. Gait movement should be free, lively, well coordinated with straight action in front and behind. Old scars or injuries, the result of work or accident, should not be allowed to prejudice a terrier's chance in the show ring unless they interfere with its movement or with its utility for work or stud. An Irish-type called Jack Russell Shortys have shorter legs than the English-type.

Temperament

The Jack Russell Terrier is a cheerful, merry, devoted, and loving dog. Spirited and obedient, yet absolutely fearless. Careful and amusing, he enjoys games and playing with toys. Stable Jack's are friendly and generally kind to children. Children should be taught not to tease or hit the dog. They are intelligent, and if you let them take an inch, they can become willful and determined to take a mile. It is paramount that you are this dogs pack leader. He needs to be given rules to follow, and limitations as to what he is and is not allowed to do. Do not let this little dog fall into Small Dog Syndrome, where he believes he is pack leader to all humans. This is where varying degrees of behavior problems will arise, including, but not limited to guarding, snapping, separation anxiety, and obsessive barking. They are highly trainable, able to perform impressive tricks. They have been used on TV and in the movies. However, if you do not show authority towards the dog , they can be difficult to train. They need a firm, experienced trainer. Jacks who have been allowed to take over can be aggressive with other dogs. Some have killed or been killed in dog fights. Be sure to socialize the Jack. They have strong hunting instincts (stronger than your average terrier) and should not be trusted with other small animals. This hunting dog likes to chase, explore, bark and dig. Only let them off lead if they are well trained or in a safe area. Will get restless and destructive if they do not receive enough exercise and activities to occupy their keen minds. Jack Russells climb, which means they can climb over a fence, they also jump. A Jack that stands 12 inches high can easily jump five feet. JRTs are not the breed for a inexperienced dog owner. The owner needs to be as strong-willed as they are, or this little guy will take over. With the right owner the Jack can really excel, but is not recommended for those who do not understand what it means to be a dogs true pack leader. Jacks who are mentally stable, with all of their canine instincts met, will not display these negative behaviors. They are not traits of the Jack Russell, but rather human brought on behaviors, which are a result of inefficient leadership, along with a lack of mental and physical stimulation. They will thrive with a job to do. The Jack Russell Terrier must present a lively, active and alert appearance. It should impress with its fearless and happy disposition. It should be remembered that the Jack Russell is a working terrier and should retain these instincts. Nervousness, cowardice or over-aggressiveness should be discouraged and it should always appear confident.

Height, Weight

Height: 10-15 inches (25-38 cm)
Weight: 14-18 pounds (6-8 kg)

Health Problems

Some are prone to dislocation of the kneecaps, inherited eye diseases, deafness, Legg Perthes-a disease of the hip joints of small breeds of dogs.

Living Conditions

The Jack Russell Terrierwill do okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. They are very active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard.

Exercise

The Jack Russell Terrier is a pleasant companion when it is sufficiently exercised; however if they do not get enough, they may become a nuisance. They need to be taken on a long, daily, brisk walk. In addition, he will be in his glory with space to run, hunt and play.

If the Jack is left alone during the day be it in an appartment or a house, they should be well exercised before the human leaves for work by taking them on a long pack walk or jog, and then taken out again when they return home.

Life Expectancy

About 15 or more years.

Grooming

All coat types are easy to groom. Comb and brush regularly with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. To show, owners must strip the coat. Like the rough coat, the broken coated Jack needs to be stripped out also.

Origin

The breed was named after a clergyman named Rev. John Russell. They were used as a small game hunting dog particularly for red fox, digging the quarry out of its den in the mid-1800s. On English hunts, the dogs needed to be long-legged enough to keep up with the hounds. Breeders had emphasized its working ability, so the standard was very broad, allowing a wide range of accepted body types. Not happy with this wide variety of working type Jacks, as of April 1st 2003 the Jack Russell Terrier Association of America, was changed to the Parson Russell Terrier Association of America. The working types remained Jack Russels while the American show types became known as the Parson Russell Terrier. Some of the Jack Russell's talents include: hunting, tracking, agility, and performing tricks.

Group

Terrier
Recognition
JRTCA, FCI, UKC, KCGB, NZKC, CET, ANKC, IKC, CKC, NKC, APRI, ACR, DRA

FCI, ANKC, IKC, recognize the shorts as Jack Russell Terriers and the UKC recognized the shorts as Russell Terriers. The Parsons are the long legged Jack Russell Terriers named officially Parsons Russell Terriers. The Jack Russell Terrier and the Russell Terrier are the same breed but are entirely a separate breed from the Parsons Russell Terrier.

The Irish Kennel Club has recognized the Jack Russell Terrier in Ireland adopting the FCI standard for the breed. At one time the AKC recognized the Jack Russel Terrier, however as of April 1st 2003 they changed the name to Parson Russel Terrier. The breed split into two breeds and now the Jack Russell Terriers and Parson Russell Terriers are considered two different breeds. The Parson's name change is in great part to a lawsuit from the JRTCA to the AKC, when the breed was first allowed registration.


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Maltese

Maltese named Prince- better known as NutPup.

"Maltese named Prince- better known as NutPup at 3 years old. "Keep your eyes on the road, NutPup.""

Pronunciation

Mall-TESE

Description

The Maltese is a small, hardy dog with silky hair. The body is compact, fine-boned, but sturdy and slightly longer than it is tall with a level top line. The chest is deep. The skull is slightly rounded on the top with a moderate stop. The medium length muzzle tapers, but not to a point. The pendant, low-set ears are set close to the head and heavily feathered. The black eyes are large, round and set moderately apart with dark rims. The nose is black with open nostrils. The dog has a silky, single layer coat that is white or light ivory. When kept long and groomed like a show dog, it hangs flat, long over the sides of the body almost to the ground (about 8½ inches (22cm.)) hanging on each side of a center part line and is not wavy, curly or kinky. A lot of owners choose to cut the coat into a short, easy care puppy cut.

Temperament

The Maltese is spirited, lively and playful. Gentle, loving, trusting and devoted to its master. Highly intelligent. Good at learning tricks. Bold and quick to sound the alarm in case of suspicious noises. It is a classical companion dog; graceful and lovable. They do well with other non-canine animals and other dogs. Maltese love to play outdoors. Some like to jump in puddles. May be difficult to housebreak. If you feed them table scraps, they can become picky eaters. Do not allow these dogs to develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors, where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. This causes a varying degree of behavior problems. If the dog believes he is boss, he can be snappish with children and even adults. Do not over-pamper or overprotect these little dogs, for they will become unstable, and some may become jealous of visitors. Maltese who are allowed to take over the house, being boss of the humans can also develop separation anxiety, guarding, and obsessive barking. These are not Maltese traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way the dog is treated by the people around them. These behaviors will go away when the dog is surrounded by stable pack leaders.

Height, Weight

Height: Dogs 8-10 inches (21-25cm.) Bitches 8-9 inches (20-23cm.)
Weight: from 6½-9 pounds (3-4kg.)

Health Problems

Prone to sunburn along the hair parting; skin, eye issues, respiratory, and slipped stifle. Some may be difficult to feed with weak, upset digestion. They may get the chills, and they experience discomfort in hot weather. Maltese should be kept out of damp areas. Also prone to teeth problems. Feeding dry dog biscuits in addition to their normal food can help the teeth stay clean and healthy.

Living Conditions

The Maltese is a good dog for apartment life. They are very active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Exercise

Maltese need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard. They remain playful well into old age. They are very active indoors.

Life Expectancy

About 15 or more years. It may live as long as 18, but it is important to keep it out of the damp.

Grooming

Daily combing and brushing of the long coat is important but be gentle, as the coat is very soft. Clean the eyes daily to prevent staining, and clean the beard after meals for the same reason. Bathe or dry shampoo regularly - making sure the animal is thoroughly dry and warm afterward. Clean the ears, and pull out hair growing inside the ear canal. The eyes should be checked regularly and cleaned if necessary. The hair on the top of the head is often tied up in a topknot to keep it away from the eyes. Some pet owners opt to clip the hair short for easier and less time consuming grooming. The Maltese sheds little to no hair and is good for allergy sufferers.

Origin

The Maltese was developed in Italy. It is said to have miniature spaniel and poodle blood. The Maltese was first recognized as a breed in Malta, where they received their name. They were once known as "Ye ancient dogge of Malta,". The breed was owned by royalty all over the world. Women carried them around in their sleeves and slept with them in their beds. They were first brought to England by Crusaders returning home from the Mediterranean. The Maltese was first recognized by the AKC in 1888.

Group

Gun Dog, AKC Toy

Recognition

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR, DRA

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Japanese Spitz
(Nihon Supittsu)

Corey,Kia and Kismet, three beautiful Japanese Spitz from Australia

Corey, Kia and Kismet, three beautiful Japanese Spitz from Australia. Photo Courtesy of Kiraleea Japanese Spitz.

Description

The long-haired coat of the Japanese Spitz has a thick under-layer that is always pure white. The tail is covered with long hair and is carried curled over the back. The coat is short on the bottom half of the legs, with breeches on the hind legs and feathering on the forelegs. The ears are small and pointed upright, and the muzzle tapers slightly. The large oval eyes are dark and slightly slanted, and the nose and lips are black. The face of the Japanese Spitz is wedge-shaped. There is dense feathering on the feet.

Temperament

The Japanese Spitz is a high-spirited, intelligent, and playful dog, which is alert and obedient. This bold little dog is a good watchdog and will alert its owners when it feels it is necessary. The Japanese Spitz is not difficult to train as long as the owner is always consistent. This breed learns quickly and really enjoys agility and playing games of catch with balls or Frisbees. This happy dog is usually good with children and usually gets along well with other dogs and household pets. The Japanese Spitz is, in spirit, a big dog in a little dog's body. This tough little dog acts as a house protector and guardian. The Japanese Spitz can be an inveterate barker if you allow them to believe they are in charge. Be sure to tell your dog enough is enough and to quiet down if he starts barking obsessively. Cheerful, bold, proud and affectionate toward its masters. Make sure you are this dog's firm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behavior problems. When dogs are allowed to be pack leader to humans they can developed many types of behavior issues, including, but not limited to, being suspicious of and barking at strangers, guarding, separation anxiety, destructiveness, snapping, and even biting. These are not Spitz traits, but rather behaviors resulting in a lack of leadership on the humans part. Always remember, dogs are canines, not humans. Be sure to meet their natural instincts as animals. They need rules to follow, limits to what they are and are not allowed to do and a firm, consistent, confident pack leader, along with daily mental and physical exercise.

Height, Weight

Height: 12-15 inches (30-38 cm.)
Weight: 11-20 pounds (5-10 kg.)

Health Problems

-

Living Conditions

The Japanese Spitz is good for apartment life. This breed is fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard as long as it gets plenty of outings and exercise.

Exercise

This is a busy little dog who will adapt himself to your lifestyle so long as you take the dog for a long, daily walk. In addition, they will enjoy a regular chances to run off its lead in a safe area.

Life Expectancy

About 12 years.

Grooming

The Japanese Spitz should be combed and brushed regularly. This is a very tidy animal that should be bathed only when necessary. When the dog is shedding, use a comb with a double row of metal teeth to remove loose hairs from the under-layer.

Origin

No one knows for sure of the origins of the Japanese Spitz, but some claim it is descended from the native Siberian Samoyed. This theory is controversial but those who believe it claim, Samoyeds were strictly bred for smallness, with the end result being the Japanese Spitz. Everything about the Japanese Spitz strongly suggests that it is simply a small version of the Samoyed. Creation of the breed commenced in the late 1800s. Very popular in Japan in the 1950s, and although numbers in the native land have declined, it has become increasingly popular in Europe and North America.

Group

Northern

Recognition

FCI, KCGB, NKC, CKC, ANKC, APRI, ACR, DRA

Saturday, April 16, 2011

A doggy affair at ION Garden



ION Orchard's outdoor space at L1 ION2 hosted a dog fashion show last weekend.

Wed, Mar 23, 2011
AsiaOne

Who let the dogs out?

Dog enthusiasts and pet owners brought their furry friends out and about to town on Sunday, March 20.

Ten perfectly poised and groomed canine fashionistas took to the stage in the heart of Orchard Road.

At The Canine Fashion Show, co-organized by ION Orchard and Pet Lovers' Foundation, the model pups "catwalked" down the runway along with proud owners.

The first-ever Pets' Day Out held at ION Garden featured free doggie canapés, pet caricature and a photo-booth.

Source: http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%...23-269610.html

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Celebrating Amber's 7th Birthday in advanced

Today, our humans celebrated amber's birthday in advanced instead of tomorrow(our jie jie is thinking that they might come home late tomorrow due to work hence the early celebration) and went to buy one of the pretty good dog canned food for us as part of the special birthday dinner to celebrate amber's birthday..

introducing the Canned food....

Naturediet Lamb with Vegetables & Rice Dog Food


Naturediet Tray Adult Dog Food with Lamb, Vegetables and Rice is a complete nutritious, high quality natural dog food.

o High Quality Protein - to help develop and maintain your dog's muscle mass;
o Natural Oils - to help maintain healthy skin and coat;
o Antioxidants - derived from seaweed extracts; helps to neutralise free radicals and aid your dog's cellular repair;
o Vitamins and Minerals - to help boost your dog's immune system and overall health;
o Controlled Calcium and Phosphorous - to help maintain and develop healthy teeth and bones;
o Natural Fibre - to promote a healthy digestive tract;
o No artificial additives, preservatives or colourings;
o Wheat Gluten Free - suitable for sensitive digestive systems.

All Naturediet dog food is made with meats certified as suitable for human consumption


Ingredients: Lamb and Lamb Tripe (Min. 60%), Brown Rice (Min. 15%), Carrots (Min. 8%), Natural Crushed Bone, Seaweed, Vitamins and Minerals, Vitamin A 1250iu/kg, Vitamin D3 150iu/kg, Vitamin E 20mg/kg.


Typical Analysis: Moisture 75%, Protein 10%, Oils and Fats 8%, Fibre 1.5%, Ash 2.5%.

OS: you can really see and smell real meat, rice, veg etc..

Into our mixing bowl..

into our own bowls..


yumyum!



For amber's Birthday present, jie jie(Sharon) give her..

DoggyMan - PurePretty Electric Comb (It suck in the fur while brushing through the coat)


Happy 7th Birthday to Amber!

OS: which Amber will officially be "7 years old" tomorrow!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Natural Doggie Dental Care

Natural Doggie Dental Care



With all the uproar from one of our readers about oral hygine and dogs I wanted to share with you the natural way to keep your dog’s and cats’s teeth clean. NO commercial dental “TREATS” needed!

It’s time to get hip to what’s going on with the teeth and gums of the animal world. Periodontal disease in particular is quite common, especially in older pets, though it is not the only dental problem animals face. Dental disease is a combination of genetics and lack of education on the part of pet owners.

Pet owners are notorious for waiting to get into the habit of dental hygiene until they are midway through their pets’ time on this earth. Dental hygiene is a hard practice to break into late in the game; not only for owners, but for the pets, (especially cats). Dental hygiene should start at the very beginning of our pet’s lives, even when their teeth look as tiny as thorns.

Due to processed commercial foods (including grain based dry dog biscuits), our dog population lately is experiencing tartar build-up and subsequent periodontal disease as one of the number one health concerns today. Carbohydrate based dry dog food actually leads to an un-natural alkaline environment in the body. The carbohydrates in the food are broken down by enzymes in the saliva and form sugars, which in turn, cause increased tartar build-up.

Periodontal disease is the number one disease that affects our pets’ mouths after they turn two years of age. Yes, you read right, two years of age! Eighty-five percent of dogs two years of age and older have periodontal disease. It’s much more insidious than the other diseases because it affects more than just the teeth and soft tissue. It can destroy all of the supporting structures of the mouth. The infection can also seep into the bloodstream affecting other parts of the body (such as the heart and liver) and making a pet ill.

Doggie Breath?

Bad breath is one of the most obvious indicators that something is wrong. Unfortunately, most pet owners are used to bad doggy or kitty breath when, in fact, bad breath is simply not normal. In the earlier stages of periodontal disease, you may be able to reverse the damage with holistic/natural care and diet. A veterinarian can also intervene with a deep dental cleaning. But, because we’ve erroneously come to almost expect bad breath, the damage in our dogs mouth continues.

A healthy canine (or feline) mouth is teaming with bacteria; most of which are normal and natural. It is important to control plaque buildup on the teeth in order to ensure most of this bacteria are healthy bacteria.

Plaque is a mixture of bacteria, saliva components, and remnants of epithelial cells and white blood cells along with some broken down food particles. It is sticky and should be removed from the teeth daily. When not removed plaque becomes tartar (or calculus) as mineral deposits and organic material build up and harden on the teeth. Tartar generally looks like a yellow-brown layer on the teeth near the gum line.

As plaque and tartar build up on the teeth, the balance of healthy bacteria is then thrown off and the opportunity for disease is just waiting to take place. As the tartar builds up under the gums they become inflamed and sore. Slowly the gums begin to separate from the teeth and recede. Plaque builds even more rapidly in the upper, softer part of the teeth and infection begins. In cats, cavities develop with even more opportunity for infection. (Dogs are less prone to cavities). The bacteria and toxins are then absorbed into the blood stream where they circulate and begin to build up in kidney, liver, and heart tissue. This is serious stuff folks! The toxins released can even affect brain tissue. The inflammatory process involved can also aggravate already deteriorating joints.

Warning Signs and Smoke Signals

Many oral diseases get out of hand due to our (humans) lack of knowledge on the subject. . Below is a chart of some warning signs for the different oral calamities so that you can treat your pet before its too late.

Problem Outside Symptom A Closer Look
Broken Baby Teeth Difficulty eating or holding objects, incessant drooling, weight loss Bleeding, gum boils, discolored teeth
Periodontal Disease Drops food, paws at its mouth, avoids having its face or head touched, bad breath, weight loss, more reluctant to chew on hard food, tooth loss, sneezing nose bleeds Bleeding, red gums, abscesses in the gum and jaw bone, deep pockets of infection
Cat Cavities Cat eagerly approaches food then walks away without eating, weigh loss as a result Gum in certain areas is growing up and into the teeth; upon pressing down on the gum, the pained animal will chatter its teeth and the gum may bleed

Doing Our Part

Oral diseases aren’t mysterious and quite simply come from neglect.
First and foremost, it’s important to check your pet’s mouth daily for signs of injury and improperly erupting teeth. Some pets enjoy having their mouths stroked. If not, slowly trrn it into a game of some sort to make it easier for yourself and for them to inspect their mouths or brush their teeth. Proper care doesn’t only entail being observant nor does it have to entail taking your pet to the vet at the slightest provocation, it means rolling up your sleeves and being active to help prevent problems in the first place.

Steps to prevention of periodontal disease:

Healthy Diet - You guessed it; a healthy diet is vital for dental health. The healthier the animal, the better the immune system. A meat based diet (perferablly raw or home cooked and rare) is essential as meat helps maintain a healthier mouth environment. God desgend our carnivorous pets to eat raw meat with the bones. If you feed exclusively a commercial diet of kibble or canned food you are just asking for trouble. The dog at your feet (or on your sofa) has been bred down from the wolf, and its digestive system is virtually the same despite thousands of years of domestication. They have very short intestinal tracts geared to the consumption and digestion of raw foods.

Commercially prepared kibble has become the standard diet for most pets in our culture. It is relatively cheap and quite convenient. Knowledgeable pet owners and many veterinarians, however, are becoming increasingly aware of the true nutritional needs of our companion canines and are taking a pro-active approach to nutrition by choosing quality of ingredients over cost and convenience. For most dogs (and cats as well), a home-prepared raw food diet is best. I know that with some, this is not always feasible, however, as a Veterinary Naturopath, Natural Pet Care Educator and Nutrition Consultant, I do my best to offer the healthiest options available for all life-styles and feeding choices. Whatever you choose to feed your pet, I hope you will put some thought into your decision because, what you do NOW will produce big rewards over his or her lifetime and very probably help him/her avoid serious and costly illnesses caused by poor nutrition and feeding practices.

Dental Exercise – Chewing on natural, God designed hard food such as raw bones and giving treats such as tendons, or bully sticks helps exercise the teeth and gums and even helps scrape off plaque, helping to prevent tartar buildup. Many will at the very least, feed chicken necks to their dogs daily, for larger breed dogs you can feed turkey necks (Remember poultry bones do not splinter when raw.) You can also give them raw marrow bones or knuckle bones (many, also give thier dogs oxtails) for healthy chewing exercise.

When I was working in veterinary clinics, we would occasionally have a raw feeder such as myself bring thier dogs in for a check up. The vets were always so surprised to see that dogs that are given plenty of raw bones rarely if ever, needed a dental cleaning! They had to admit at the very least these dogs fed a raw meaty bone diet had something right going on.

If you are not willing to at least give your pets a raw meaty bone a few times a week to clean his/her teeth then you seriously need to begin to be proactive with either brushing daily or use a doggie mouth wash, drops and/or supplements.

I can hear some of you saying, “But what about hard, dry kibble and crunchy treats?”…. Crunching kibble and dog biscuits does not qualify as dental exercise nor does it remove plaque from the teeth; as mentioned above, eating kibble and biscuits generally produces dental problems as it leaves behind small bits of food material that easily stick to the teeth and contribute to plaque buildup. (Those commercials that showed the dog eating a bone-shaped biscuit followed by a big smile with sparkling white teeth were convincing but are purely fantasy).

Greenies and other commerial, so called “dental treats” such as Greenies are ever-popular are even falsely touted as being “Smart” as well other look a likes and edible treats . Just a couple words of caution: if your companion has allergies you may want to avoid greenies and the like as they are mostly wheat gluten and some even corn based. (Be sure to see my articles on why dogs should not be fed grains). Also, they can be high in calories, so not the best treats for overweight animals either.

*See below for an all natural dental treat alternative to greenies and the like.

Doggie Teeth Brushing – If you are not feeding a raw meat and bone diet or at least supplementing with a raw reactional marrow, knuckly bone or ox tails, it is imperative you brush yoiur dog’s teeth DAILY! Many refuse to brush our pets teeth even once a week. Please, stop and think a minute here, what would be the condition our mouths if we didn’t brush our teeth regularly? The same goes for our pets. The earlier you get into the practice of brushing, the better– Use a toothbrush designed for pets with very soft bristles to avoid damaging their delicate gum tissue. For toy breed dogs, the finger toothbrush is a great alternative. It’s a device that fits over your finger and is easy to navigate through your pet’s mouth. *IMPORTANT* – Refrain from using human toothpaste toothpaste, especially if it contains sweetners or baking soda, these can upset their stomachs and some cases, the sweetners can cause death.

Mouth Wash, Drops, Supplements - Mouth washes, drops, and diet or water supplements can be a great tool in the prevention of periodontal disease when combined with brushing. They are definitely not as effective as a raw meaty bone diet or brushing, but are certainly better than no home care at all.

Supplementing with Vitamin C
Vitamin C strengthens the immune system, facilitating the destruction of the germs and microorganisms that can enhance gum disease.

CoEnzyme Q10
CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant that can reduce inflammation in the gums, helps prevent free radicals from damaging healthy cells, supports healthy heart and immune function, neuroligical health, as well as promoting healthy gum tissue.

Echinacea
adding a few drops of Echinacea to the drinking water daily for two weeks to will help stimulate immune-cell function, slowing the progress of bacteriological invaders

Cranberries
researchers have proven that a beverage containing 25% cranberry juice inhibited bacteria from binding and accumulating on an artificial tooth by 67-85%.
Medical News Today, Nov. 9, 2004
Add 100% pure cranberry juice *NO sugar or artifical sweetners* (sweetend juice contains sugar that will only make matters worse) to the drinking water or you can put on a cotton ball and rub over the teeth and gums or in a syringe and drop on teeth and gums.

Wysong Dentatreat
Contains ingredients that help to maintain oral health that can be sprinkled directly onto food or used with a toothbrush as a tooth cleaning powder. Dentatreat is made entirely of safe, natural food ingredients and has no artificial colorings or flavorings. It helps to prevent tooth decay and gingivitis, remineralizes teeth, and discourages growth of bacteria that cause plaque.

For those of you who feel you must give your dog a Greenie or other edible chew in spite of all I have written here, let me please make mention of a few treats that are 100% natrural and digestable that would be a great alternative:


Porkhide Bones

they are made of 100% pork skin

Source: http://thewholedog.org/wholedognews/?p=95

Friday, April 8, 2011

MASON, Ohio — A Mason man has been charged with teasing a police dog.

Man barks at dog, says dog started it

Ryan Stephens has been charged with teasing Timber the police dog after he was found barking and hissing at the animal.

man barks at dog K9 fury: This b***h bites

According to a police report, Officer Bradley Walker was responding to a crash at the Mason Pub early Sunday morning when his K-9 officer, Timber, began barking.

Walker said he observed 25-year-old Ryan Stephens with his face about 2 inches from the rear window of the police vehicle, barking and hissing at Timber.

When Walker questioned Stephens about why he was barking at the dog, Stephens replied, "He started it. He was harassing me."

Walker said he believed Stephens was intoxicated because he smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred.

Stephens is to appear April 21 in municipal court on a misdemeanor citation of willfully teasing a police K-9 officer.

Walker said it's dangerous to incite the dogs while they're locked inside the vehicle.

"Everything is metal in here, and a dog could easily get his tooth caught in one of these grates here and rip his tooth out and cause severe dental trauma to get at one of these people that is harassing him," Walker said.

Walker said it's also dangerous to the person doing the harassing.

"If the door was actually left unlocked or something, and a drunk individual or an intoxicated individual opens the door, he has a very good likelihood of getting bit," Walker said.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42463543/ns/us_news-weird_news/

Monday, April 4, 2011

Wordless day...





Life is as usual....
but since we have not much topic (no new topic yet) we would just keep our blog updated with a individual photos taken of us just a moment ago!