Jingle Dogs & Cats Tunes

I'm not usually one for stupid pet tricks and do not advocate making any animal behave un-animal-like for the sake of human entertainment but, as I continue to see promotions for these Jingle Dogs & Cats, I just had to see what the hype is all about. And I found, the Jingle Dog's rendition of Jingle Bells is well worth the click and the Jingle Cat's tunes are, well, interesting!

Not sure I could listen to it on a regular basis nor am I willing to fork over $15 for the CD but I did get a good chuckle listening to the freebies a couple of times -- might be willing to pay a buck for a one-track download.

Check it out. It's bound to get a snicker or two out of your office mates.

The Jingle Dogs & Cats Assurance/Disclaimer:

"No animals were harmed in the making of this record. Some of them prefer not to be... oh nevermind. No really this has nothing to do with any kind of animal treatment at all. The dogs line up on command and sing these songs for the simple reason that they love music. Isn't that wonderful!"

More on Holiday Hazards

As we have warned before, the holidays can be a dangerous time for pets.

New plants, decorations, treats and even guests can add both stress and hazardous conditions for unsuspecting dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Rather than try to restate all of the potential hazards, we have found a great resource from American Humane.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Holiday Hazard: Fact or Fiction?

There is no doubt that the holidays, any holiday, can put pets' safety and health at risk. The addition of decorations, foods and candies, plants, and guests can all take their toll on our furry friends. So it is imperative to take precautions, but one of the "greatest" dangers I have heard of over the years and one of the most highly debated is the poinsettia.

Many pet owners and shelter employees live under the unspoken rule that poinsettias are toxic and potentially deadly to pets, while some say this is purely myth.

So what is the truth? Well, there is an entire website created to debunk common myths that claims the poinsettia rumor is fictitious, while HSUS stands by the thought that poiinsettias are, in fact, dangerous to pets.

Personally, I would be inclined to take my final word from the AVMA but they only go as far as to state that the leaves and stems of poinsettias have a low toxicity but they they do not state anything about the danger of the plant's flowers or explain the effect of low toxicity. Hmmm.

Well, looks like this myth will neither be proven nor debunked today. My suggestion? Better safe than sorry. If you want to add holiday foliage to your home, why not use silk flowers? They don't have to be watered, they won't wilt or die, and they probably won't taste very good to Fluffy. Dilemma solved!

Respect Wildlife

As the weather gets colder, it’s best to appreciate local wildlife from a distance. Feeding hungry wildlife during colder months is not necessarily doing them a favor. The more we feed wildlife, the more they depend on our generosity and become less able to sustain themselves.

What about bird feeders? Feeding birds seems to be second nature to many bird lovers and doesn’t have to be detrimental to a bird’s health, but it’s best to keep a couple of things in mind before feeding the birds. If you put out an overabundance of bird food during the warmer months, it may also affect the birds’ ability to take care of themselves, as well. Plus, bird seed is often shared by squirrels and other rodents which may in turn attract larger predators such as foxes and coyotes, so be prepared, and if you call your local shelter for advice on evicting these predators from your yard, the first thing they will probably advise is to lose the bird feeder.

Pet Loss Support

Losing a beloved pet is painful and leaves an enormous void in one’s life. I know this is true as I recently lost my dog. This has neither made me the expert on pet loss, nor am I willing to rehash my feelings over the loss of my pet. What I do know is that those of us who have lost pets do need support and guidance. I am lucky to have family, friends and co-workers that truly understand, but not everyone has the same support system. Fortunately, many local shelters and animal organizations offer support groups. I recommend visiting a support group in your area.

And, please find comfort in the story of the Rainbow Bridge; I did.

Dogs Sniff Out Cancer

So many dog guardians have so many reasons why they love their pets. They are loving companions; reliable running buddies; soft, warm beings to cuddle up to; brave protectors; honest, true friends...

Now, they may be able to protect us from cancer. Studies have shown that dogs are able to sniff out certain cancers even earlier than mammograms.

As if we needed yet another reason to love and appreciate our furry friends!

China's Canine Crackdown

Rex here, again.

I just heard some disturbing news and am thanking my lucky stars that I don't live in China!

Evidently, rabies is a very big issue in China. Apparently, there were 2,651 reported deaths from rabies in 2004 and 318 have died from it since September. Only around 3% of dogs there are vaccinated against rabies. In response to this issue the Chinese government has cracked down on dogs, yes, dogs -- not vaccinations, owners, or any preventative measures. Their method of handling the situation is to restrict households from owning more than one dog, banning ownership of large dogs, and forbidding owners to take their dogs to public places including parks.

Several citizens have protested the crackdown but the Chinese government is holding strong on the issue. One official admitted that people do have the right to raise dogs but people who do not own dogs should also have the right not to be "harassed" by dogs.

Look, one small dog can contract and spread rabies as easily as two large dogs. Why not make the effort, like we do in the US, to educate people on how to train their dogs and ensure that they are not a threat to others by keeping them on leash and giving them regular rabies vaccinations? Seems like a more mature and far more peacful option than this ban.

I guess the year of the dog isn't such a good year for the dog afterall.

Consider me thankful and proud to be a Canine American!

Virginia Pet Trust Law

Rex here, again. Now, I may be a little late to find out about this now but, you know what they say -- better late than never.

In July, Virginia proudly joined 37 other states with a pet trust statute. This means that Virginia is also a little late to the game, but at least now Virginians can rest assured that their furry friends will be taken care of in case something ever happens to the pet's guardian. Pet owners may now designate a caretaker for their pet(s) and a trustee who ensures that the money is spent on the pet.

Previously, if a pet's guardian passed away and left money in their will to take care of the pet, anyone could contest the provision and the pet could find himself in the shelter -- no cash, no home, no guardian. This statute puts an end to this injustice.

I only find it sad that Virginia is just getting around to this now, but you know what they say, better late than...

Canine Melanoma Vaccine Follow Up

Last week I told you about the canine melanoma vaccine. I now have a bit more information about it for those of you who may have dogs who are battling melanoma.

The study through the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Veterinary Medicine is open to dogs via a vet in your area. In order to participate, it must be proven that the dog is inflicted with melanoma. The dog's guardians are then required to make an $1800 donation to the UW Vet School. My vet said that he would want to have current blood work and x-rays just before beginning treatment, as well. The treatment consists of nine trips to the vet over a 20 week period to administer the vaccine, which is said to not have any major side effects, and radiographs and/or ultrsounds every three months for an unspecified amount of time.

It is possible that the vaccine may have no effect at all but it is also possible that it will give dogs up to a year or two more of life. The numbers available through my vet, however, were only for oral melanoma so if your dog has a melanoma tumor elsewhere, I suggest you contact the UW Vet School for further information.

My vet, in particular, seems to think that this vaccine, once available to all, will be the answer to canine melanoma. For those of you whose furry friends suffer from it, I certainly hope he is correct and wish you all the best. And, please, if you do participate in the study, report your outcomes to your vet and make sure that he or she reports them to the UW Vet School. We will never know how successful this vaccine is without your input.

Canine Melanoma Vaccine: Miracle or Myth?

Last month my dog had surgery to remove a large tumor. The tumor was sent for a biopsy, suspecting carcinoma, but much to my and the vet's dismay, it was melanoma -- a carcinoma is often well circumscribed and vets have a better chance of completely removing it during surgery than a melanoma.

Only one month later, the area was swelling again and the vet found that the tumor had rapidly grown back, even larger than before. This was the moment I had feared. The moment I learned that there was nothing I could do to help my best pal but keep him as comfy as possible until it affected his quality of life.

Two days later, after coming to terms with the situation and beginning my ritual spoiling my dog to no avail, I received several phone calls from friends and family citing a clip they had seen on the Today Show or read on MSNBC about a "new" vaccine for canine melanoma.

As soon as I went online to start researching this, I discovered that the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine (UW) has been producing a vaccine for canine melanoma since 1998 and the Animal Medical Center in New York has treated at least 100 dogs with a new vaccine with some success. I called a local oncologist and have an appointment to find out more about my dog's options.

Through my preliminary research, I have found out that, in order to participate in the AMC study, I must bring my dog to New York and leave him there for a month or so and his melanoma must be oral or of the toe or footpad (my dog's melanoma is not in any of those areas); but I can participate in the UW study right here, through my local vet, for an $1800 donation to UW. That's all I have found, thus far, no statistics on success or information about side effects.

For those of you interested in the real scoop about this vaccine, and not just the five second news hype, check back later this week for further findings.

Sugar-Free, Bad News for Dogs

With Halloween so close we are hearing more and more about ways to keep your pets safe during the witching season. Of course, most dog owners already know the dangers of chocolate, but some are still not aware of the dangers of a sweetener called Xylitol.

The AVMA has warned us in the past of the dangerous, toxic effects this sweetener can have on dogs, but still the cases of Xylitol poisoning more than doubled from 2004 to 2005 and the 2006 statistics are on the rise.

As Xylitol becomes more and more prevalent in everyday items such as sugar-free chewing gum, candy, baked goods, even toothpaste, so do the cases of unsuspecting, hungry dogs getting a hold of the substance. While earlier warnings concentrated on large doses of the ingredient, it is now reported that dogs may be harmed by even lesser amounts.

Don't be fooled by its name, Xylitol is not an uncommon substance. It can be found in much of the food in your home -- check the ingredients. For example, many chewing gum brands these days tout that they are sugar-free. Good for us, not so good for our furry friends. These sugar-free sticks of gum are not necessarily Xylitol-free.

So, as Halloween approaches, be diligent about keeping ALL candy, not just the chocolate, out of Fido's reach.

For more information and tips on keeping your pets safe at Halloween please visit:

Halloween Safety for Pets from AWLA

Tips to Keep Pets Safe from Tricks and Treats from HSUS

Halloween Safety from About.com

The Poop on a Cool Product

Has your dog ever had a case of the runs? If you own (are a guardian of) a dog it's a good chance the answer is yes. If you live in one of many communities that, by law, you are required to pick up after your pet or if you are visiting your local dog park, what exactly do you do when your pooch's poop is less than pickupable?

It's not a pretty site, or smell. You've got one hand in your baggie and the other crossing your fingers hoping there are no holes in the bag. You attempt to pick it all up but it sticks to the blades of the grass that surround it. What do you do? Do you leave the mess and hope no one saw or do you begin to pull at the grass, leaving a gaping hole of dirt?

POOP-FREEZE(TM) just might be the answer. This product claims to instantly freezes the poop to harden the surface for easy pick up. Unfortunately, your local pet stores don't seem to be carrying this product yet, but it is available for online orders for $9.95 to $14.95 plus shipping.

Managing Allergies to Cats (for less than $5000)

Who says money can't buy you love? Now, cat lovers who are affected by allergies can buy a designer, "hypoallergenic" cat to the tune of $3,950 plus $900 for shipping and handling. For some this could be their dream come true. For the thousands of homeless cats in animal shelters this doesn't sound like very good news.

I don't have pet allergies but I do suffer from seasonal allergies and manage them, just like millions of people do each year. My point is that it is possible to still adopt one of the thousands of sweet, adorable homeless cats in our shelters and rescues and manage your allergies without having to fork over thousands of dollars for a designer cat.

You can start by keeping your feline companion out of your bed and out of your bedroom altogther. How about purchasing special air filters? These may cost a bit but may also help to manage other allergens such as dust mites. These are just a few of the steps you can take to make living with Fluffy a pleasure. (See links below for more tips on managing pet allergies.)

While some say there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat, most animal shelters and rescues will help you find an animal that may have less of an effect on you. It is not unusual, when you have met a cat or dog in a shelter, to ask shelter staff to take a towel and rub it over the pet, then take the towel home and spend some time with the pet's scent and dander. Some even opt to test drive the dander by sleeping with the towel.

Of course, this is not a guarantee that you will not suffer from allergies when you take this pet home, but, as with all animals, even these new designer cats, there is never any guarantee of anything, from allergies to behavior to health.

And once you have adopted your furry feline friend, if you still want to part with your savings, please consider a donation to your local animal shelter, where $5000 could spay or neuter almost 100 cats or purchase 16,000 pounds of pet food to feed hungry, homeless animals.

Visit the following sites for further reading on how to manage your pet allergies:

Keep the cat but reduce those allergy symptoms

Quick tips for minimizing cat dander

Coping With Pets in the Home

No Pet Left Behind?

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, President Bush has signed a bill that will require states to include pets in their evacuation plans in case of a natural disaster, or risk losing federal money.

During Hurricane Katrina the rest of the country watched as so many people were left behind to endure the destruction of what is now considered the *deadliest hurricane in the US in 80 years (*Fritz Institute). It was tragic, and now, I find it even more tragic to know that *44% of those who chose to remain did so because they did not want to leave their pets behind (*Fritz Institute). 44% that could have found safety had rescue agencies allowed them to bring their family pets along during evacuation.

Well, hats off to this administration for taking our furry-friends into consideration! Every pet-friendly family should consider their pets in case of emergency and fortunately the welfare of all loved-ones is finally being considered.

For more information on including your pets in your disaster plans, visit the Humane Society of the United States and American Veterinary Medical Association.

Guest Post from Rex the Dog

In 1999, In Defense of Animals, an animal rights organization, started a campaign to replace the term "pet owner" with "pet guardian," nationwide. Since, the campaign has made tons of friends and certain city municipal codes have been revised with the updated term.

Not everyone is sold on the idea but, hey, if it's gonna make my owners, err, guardians, let me sleep inside at night, take me to the vet for regular check ups and vaccinations, and take me for walks each day, I'm all for it! In turn, I promise not to sue them for not refreshing my water regularly, feeding me dry food when I much prefer the wet gooey stuff that melts in my mouth, or not giving me frosty paws EVERY night.

Could this be another turning point in animal welfare? What was the first? Refering to local animal shelters as "shelters" rather than "pounds," of course. Pound, from the term impound, as in "we're gonna impound that dog in a dirty cage without any human contact, walks or care," is thankfully gone, for the most part. Now we use the term shelter, as in "we're gonna give that dog shelter in a clean run with lots of love, walks and care until we are able to locate his owner or find him a new home." Whew, glad that change went national!

So, if changing the way you people speak will change the way you act towards me, I say, why stop there? From now on I'm no longer Rex, the dog -- call me Rex, the Canine American.

Woof!

Lessons from Marley

I've heard so much about John Grogan's book Marley & Me, lately. In his story of "life and love with the world's worst dog," Grogan tells the tale of his experience with a lovable, goofy labrador retriever named Marley.

Everyone is gushing over Marley, despite his knack for destruction including eating jewelry and tearing apart the house, but what about Grogan? Sure, most dogs have at least some destructive tendencies and what dog hasn't been freaked out by the occasional thunderstorm? But what about Grogan's dedication to his furry friend? Let's face it, Marley was not the easiest of housemates, but not once did Grogan entertain the idea of surrendering Marley to an animal shelter.

Many of my furry friends at the shelter either ate the wrong piece of jewelry or shredded the furniture and next thing they know, here they are, no longer able to enjoy the comforts of home. Now they are just hoping that someone who walks through the door of the shelter, inspired by the story of Marley, will want to give them the same unconditional love that Marley was so lucky to have found.

True dog-lovers might wonder why this is such a wondrous thought but all of us here at the shelter know that there are scores of pet owners that do not elect to stick with the relationship when the going gets tough and end up surrendering their pets. While shelters and rescues will always be there for the owner that simply cannot handle a difficult situation, I am still in awe of the patience and dedication Grogan showed towards his pal, Marley.

To Grogan and all of the other heroes out there who have similar stories but have not given up, I would thank you but I know that your four-legged friend's love and companionship is thanks enough!

Are They Not All In Need of Rescue?

When reading stories of pets made homeless by horrible tragedies such as the war in Lebanon and the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. It warms my heart that there are people who will go out of their way to make sure that these animals are rescued and that their are people out there who are ready and willing to adopt them and save them from their strife.

I can't help but wonder, though, where these amazing adopters are when there is no disaster. There are so many of dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. waiting everyday for someone to rescue them from the loneliness and shower them with love and the comforts of home. Sure, there are people here and there that are looking for a pet, but still, so many of the homeless animals still wait and wait.