- 10 Realtime And Reliable Photo Search Engines http://t.co/HoGUk218 via @zite
- Here they come to save the day! 10 Pet Heroes http://t.co/y3eMGNA2 via @zite
- Check out this article: Kemper’s director leaves http://t.co/CE7Usqk0
- This would've been very cool, I think....Steve Jobs' Dream Of iCar Revealed (VIDEO) http://t.co/ANCjjpwi via @zite
- Dogs helping their people..Dog Is Lifesaver for 3-Year-Old with Diabetes http://t.co/8HUXJWYW via @zite
Television for Dogs?????
Party Marty, the curious cat with exciting news: Well…just when I thought I had seen it all, out comes something new…just for dogs! It’s called DOGTV! Have you heard about this? It’s a cable channel dedicated to dogs that stay home alone during the day. (Thank goodness I have Netflix!). Unlike us cool cats, evidently dogs can get quite anxious when left home alone, and this new channel has been designed as the ideal babysitter for these pets. Compelling research indicates that dogs feel better when the television is on, especially when it displays the right content…and that doesn’t mean dog food commercials!
This new channel provides three types of programming: relaxing content, stimulating content and positive behavioral reinforcements (Guess there are no commercials!). Supposedly, the music on this channel is designed to create a peaceful ambiance. The stimulating portion provides invigorating images, animation and real world sounds to keep them up and on the move! (Heck…I do that for that dog Jessie here by going out and occasionally ringing the doorbell several times in a row. You should see her react!)
DOGTV looks to be a great tool, however, to prevent depression, boredom and mental fatigue. In dogs, that is. Dang! I should have thought of MARTYTV! (Pauses and thinks) Catch ya later! I’ve got something to do now!
Go to dogtv.com for more info!
I Hate Good-Byes
I really have a problem saying good-bye, seems like I’ve been having to say it a lot lately.
Yesterday, I learned that another long time client, Tootsie, had passed away. She was a funny girl, very set in her ways. When her doggy brother Roscoe appeared on the scene, Tootsie was quite upset. When she discovered she couldn’t chase him away, she became the ultimate “big sister.”
She made sure little brother Roscoe towed the line in all ways at all times. Roscoe would try to engage Tootsie in play quite often but she wasn’t too interested, usually barking at him to go away.
Tootsie was quite a character and she will be missed by her brother Roscoe and her people. Take care, Miss Toots!
Quick tips to reduce the allergens associated with your pets! Breathe easier!
Party Marty, here to shed some light on pets and allergies, most specifically related to dogs and cats. Hey! We know you love your pets, so don’t let those nasty allergens ruin the attraction you have to us!
If you suffer from allergies related to pets, here are some helpful tips from our friends at everydayhealth.com:
*When vacuuming, be sure to use a vacuum cleaner model that has a HEPA filter that can help to control the amount of pet dander in your home. Without this filter, the dander is just spread around, actually making things worse.
*Keep pets off the furniture, too, as they can spread their saliva and hair into the texture of the fabric.
*To minimize any allergic reactions you might have, consider giving your dog a weekly bath using a special shampoo designed to reduce allergens.
*Cats tend to cause more allergens than dogs, as their dander is light and sticky and travels everywhere. If someone in your home is not troubled by pet allergies, have that person brush the cat daily and then thoroughly clean the brush. Get in the habit of wiping the cat down daily with a damp washcloth. You can even inquire of your pet for a special pet diet/food that will minimize dander.
Finally, the biggest tip of all comes straight from the lips of yours truly:
*Consider getting rid of the dog. (Oops! Jessie just walked into the room! Gotta go! You did not see me here at all! I am off! Dang…hope she does not look in my browser for recent online activity!)
Jessie Presents…More Random Dog Trivia!
Jessie, the bored dog looking up interesting facts about dogs on the internet:
It’s been a lazy day for me today. I was checking out my online dating profile but got bored, so I did a random search on some random information about dogs. I am feeling so random today.
Did you know that…
…Ancient Egyptians revered their dogs so much that when a dog died, the owner would shave off his eyebrows, smear mud in his hair and mourn out loud for days.
…legendary rock star Ozzy Osborne rescued his family’s dog from a coyote by tackling that mangy pest until it released its grip on the dog.
…the common phrase, “It’s raining cats and dogs” was coined in the 1600s in England. When it rained heavily, homeless animals would drown and float down the streets, giving the appearance that it did, in fact, rain cats and dogs.
…during the Middle Ages, Great Danes and Mastiffs were sometimes outfitted d with armor and spiked collars as they prepared to enter a battle or defend supply caravans.
…the shape of a dog’s face has been known to suggest its longevity. Dogs with sharp, pointed faces – like wolves – usually have longer life spans than dogs with flat faces, such as bulldogs.
Please excuse me now…I have to go look in the mirror.
Thanks to facts.randomhistory.com for this fun information!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! Kansas City is attempting to set a Guinness Book of World Record goal of the most costumed dogs in a parade today. Best of luck, looking forward to seeing pics of the costumes and parade!
Enough “All Pit Bulls Are Bad”
As I’ve written here before, I have a problem with breed-specific legislation that singles out pit bulls. In reading online today, I found yet another story of BSL, this time in Maryland.
The Maryland Court of Appeals has ruled that pit bulls are “inherently dangerous” and anyone owning a pit bull or pit bull mix could be arrested, serve six months in jail and incur a $1,000 fine. This ruling came on the heels of a case involving a young boy that suffering life threatening injuries from a pit bull attack.
This is a very sad example of discrimination. Pit bulls, or any dog breed for that matter, can be considered dangerous if not trained and socialized properly. There’s also something to be said for how a person approaches a dog they don’t know. Pit bulls, as with most dog breeds, will protect their people and what they consider their territory when an unknown person approaches.
To say that this breed is “inherently dangerous” is not so different from discriminating against all members of a particular race or religion. Yes, there are “bad” pit bulls, but that’s not ALL pit bulls, just as there are bad people in various races or religions but that doesn’t make ALL members of the race or religion automatically bad people!
Interestingly, the site that ran this story is conducting a poll on whether readers consider pit bulls inherently bad, and the results thus far with over 37,000 votes show 55% say no, 42% say yes.
What are your thoughts regarding breed specific legislation?
If you’d like to read the entire article, go to http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/02/11500617-maryland-court-finds-pit-bulls-are-inherently-dangerous?lite
Good-bye To A Friend
I found out today that a client, Chandler, had passed away.
When I first hime a couple of years ago, he was still adjusting to quite a few changes: new house, new people, new dogs. Although he had his grumpy times, overall he dealt with everything pretty well.
One of the biggest challenges for him was dealing with having a new puppy in house. When Gigi arrived, she loved her big brother a lot, while big brother Chandler would bark and/or growl if she came anywhere near him.
Over time he adjusted and she learned his boundaries, they became pretty good friends.
The last time I saw Chandler he wasn’t getting around too well. Age was catching up with him, he didn’t see as well as he used to, arthritis was slowing him down, but he still gave me a high-five with his front paw for treats and wagged his tail when he got petted just right.
I’m scheduled to stop by the house later this week and it won’t be the same with Chandler gone. I will miss you, dear boy. Take care!
In My Humble Opinion, Cats Are Better than Dogs Because…
The Spirit of Bo, the dearly-departed but never forgotten cat: You know, I read the post the other day about why dogs are better than men. Well, I’d like to stretch that a bit and express my thoughts as to why cats are better than dogs which essentially makes them better than men…..you know how we are….sophisticated, intellectual and well-versed in all things! While I bring these to your attention in simple fun, there may be some hint of truth to them, depending upon your perspective! Thanks to therealowner.com for sharing these with us.
Cats are better than dogs because they use a litter box. (With dogs, you have to go outdoors into the elements!)
Cats are better than dogs because they are independent. (With dogs, you leave the house and sometimes worry as to what mess you might discover upon coming home!)
Cats are better than dogs because they are quieter. (Sure, we meow and hiss and all, but I bet you won’t be awakened at 3 a.m. with barking, growling and so on just because the wind moved a chair on the back deck.)
Cats are better than dogs because, well, let’s face it…we look sleek, regal and ultra-sophisticated…always camera ready. (We don’t drool!)
Cats are better than dogs because we don’t beg. (We won’t stare at you while you eat and continue to whine.)
Cats are better than dogs because we can spend most of our lives indoors. (We are low-maintenance. You don’t have to take us out several times a day or take us on walks.)
Cats are better than dogs because we show our love and affection with a gentle rub to your leg. (We don’t jump, pounce, and nearly push you over to greet you!)
Sure, dogs are great! I love them! Excellent servants! HA! However, as a cat myself, I do have to toot my own horn on occasion….even from Heaven, for as you know, all dogs go to heaven, too! It’s crowded up here!
Helping “Flat-Faced” Dog Breeds Enjoy Summer
Summer is the time to get out and about with your dog, but for brachycephalic or “flat-faced” breeds like pugs or bulldogs, the warmer weather can pose serious health risks. Here are some ways to help your dog through the warm weather and still have fun:
- Walk your dog in the early morning and evening when the temperatures are lower
- Never leave your dog in the car unattended. Dogs can suffocate in a matter of minutes in hot weather
- Keep your dog at a healthy weight
- Use a halter rather than a collar to attach leash
- On extremely hot days, take short walks so you can get home easily if you need to
- Don’t overexercise your dog or get them too excited or stressed.
If you sense your dog is overheated, get him to a shady spot if outside, or to a cool place in the house such as the basement that has cool floors he can lay on. Put cool wet towels on him to get body heat down. Once stabilized, take him to the vet to be checked for any lingering problems.
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