Doggy Details
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Food for thought.
Posted on March 19, 2010
For a while now I have been looking into dog food ingredients. Several blogs I read have encouraged me to look more critically at what I feed my dog every day. A while ago I have started a little discussion about it on facebook. I have changed my dogs food, but that is not where it ends. The whole matter is way too complex to understand and digest all at once. After researching recommended dog foods so I can make an immediate switch and make myself feel a little better I am continuing to try to understand what makes a dog food good and what makes it bad.
Food labels are scary. They are scary on one hand because of so many terms that the average dog owner, me included, does not understand. And as soon as you do understand the ingredients of many of them are scary to look at. I am long not at the end of researching this and trying to find the best diet for my dogs. But I feel the need to share some of what I have found so far, because many people just don’t know. I’d like to give some food for thought, encourage everyone to do their own research and educate about what is going on out there.
The tip of the iceberg, unfortunately, are veterinarians. Who hasn’t seen the food bags sitting in almost every waiting room. Who has not been recommended one and the same brand by multiple veterinarians. And they should be the ones to know, right? I bet they do know, but they don’t tell you! It breaks my heart to see that a part of the dog food company bought up a large number of veterinarians and makes them recommend an overpriced and crappy food. I don’t think I even have to mention the name, as we all know. And have we ever looked at the list of ingredients of this “veterinarian recommended” food? I haven’t for the longest time, because I didn’t understand anyway. Now that I am starting to do so I did look. I have to say I’m a little terrified. I think everyone know that the first few ingredients are the main ingredients with the largest amounts. This foods first is Corn. Corn is fed to cattle to make them fat, fast. Corn is the least nutritional of all grains. Plenty of animals have developed allergies to corn, bless those animals. It makes me want to throw up.
I am thinking about putting together an easy fact sheet for the adopters at our humane society. One that will give you at least a basic understanding of food without having to do much research. Rule of thumbs so to say. Once that is completed I will of course post it here. For now I want to thank some great sources that I have gained better understanding from. If you are interested I strongly encourage you to follow Darcy of SitStay.com in her blog and visit website like the Dog Food Project.
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Rubber Balloon Booties
Posted on March 16, 2010
You know what I totally love right now? Rubber Boots. For my own muddy feet and for dogs.
After it snowed so heavily last year and Mac appeared somewhat sensitive to snow and definitely sensitive to salt, I was looking all over for dog booties. I tried some out that were hilarious to watch on him but also made me want to take them off right away. I never ended up trying the real expensive ones, because I settled for indoor games and shorter walks until the weather got better again. Last week though, Maize stepped in glass *how she did that is a whole different crazy story*and cut one of her pads. The vet cleaned it out and gave us a huge and weird plastic bag, which we were supposed to put on her foot whenever she went outside. That seemed very wrong to me on several levels. First of all it was one of the most expensive vets in town. You’d think that for the prices they charge they should be able to take the time and come up with something more nifty. And then do they seriously believe that my dog (crazy active) will actually run around with a stiff 5×5 plastic bag tied to her foot? I don’t think so!
So I remembered these rubber booties I saw at a local pet store the other day. And I love them. Maize isn’t bothered, they stay on and her foot stays clean. That’s all I have to say. Easy as that! I’m gonna keep these babies around for the next emergency or snow chaos (not anytime soon please!) I’m sure I can even come up with more uses for them… to keep the house a little cleaner maybe???
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Pet First Aid Classes
Posted on March 12, 2010
I am excited that we are going to be able to offer Pet First Aid Classes in Manhattan. Thanks to the Red Cross, who provided us with training, equipment and the location for our first two classes, we can help you be better prepared for emergencies. Classes cost between $25-30 and include a book and DVD for either dog or cat first aid. All proceeds go to the Red Cross (first two classes) and the Riley County Humane Society (future classes).
I am going to keep this post updated with the latest schedule. You can view it at anytime through the Links button above!
April 10th, 2010. 10am – 1pm at 2601 Anderson Avenue, Manhattan. (This class is already filled)
May 1st, 2010. 9am – 12pm at 2601 Anderson Avenue, Manhattan. (Sign up here)
More events will be scheduled soon. Check back for updates or contact me to be notified of the next class!
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Sorry
Posted on March 11, 2010
Yes, I do have a good reason for slacking. My husband is about to deploy. I will be back to the regular posts shortly after.
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Pet First Aid
Posted on March 6, 2010
I am such a slacker, I totally missed today’s post. But I got something to make up for it. Me and a few other girls just met with the Red Cross and got the first Dog First Aid Class lined up for Manhattan, KS!
If you are interested in learning not just CPR but also how to help your dog immediately after shock, choking, and injuries sign up for our first class on April 10th, 2010. To sign up or for more info go to the event page on facebook or contact me directly. If you are interested in a class on another day, let me know, too. Depending on interest we will have plenty more, I hope.
I can’t wait to start and hope to meet you all there!
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Furry souls. Homeless.
Posted on March 4, 2010
I thought yesterday was the most beautiful sunny day (before I knew what today is going to be like), so I decided to head out to Wamego to the Pottawatomie County Caring Hearts Humane Society. I had neglected them for a little while and really need to get back on schedule with them. So here are a few of the lovely dogs that need a forever home. Click on the picture for more info on each dog or pay the Humane Society a visit online for more information.
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Inside of a Dog
Posted on March 2, 2010
Cover by the awesome Erin Vey
I’m not even done with this book, yet, and I cannot help myself but sing praises!
This book has been on my list of books to read for a while. I did not order it, yet, in favor of reading different ones first for one reason: the reviews. And they are not bad, but they just left me with a feeling of “that’s not the book I MUST read”. I don’t recall them in detail, I know one said it mentions lots of things we already know. But it’s not one review in particular, it’s the feeling that many reviews left in me. And boy was that wrong!!!
A friend of mine had ordered it and said she thinks it’s something I would want to read (even before she opened the book). And I am so glad she brought it over. I am absolutely in love.
I probably have to explain something first. I love science. I studied equine science and I soaked up all of the scientifical articles I could find. I set out to become a journalist to spread the news of science, because I had the feeling that there is a lack of communication between the scientific community and the press and rest of the world, namely the people that need to actually APPLY the findings. In the end photography stole me away from journalism, but I love science nevertheless. And I am so happy, that Alexandra Horowitz, a scientist, wrote this book for everyone to understand.
Usually I rather read books about training and understanding dogs than heartfelt stories about dogs. This one is somewhere in between and totally different at the same time. Horowitz uses her own dog as example without boring me. She actually writes beautifully, almost poetic, about her dog as introduction to each chapter. And then each chapter is exactly what the title promises. A look from the inside out. How do dogs see, smell, hear and taste the world backed up by scientific evidence. How do they experience us, their toys, other dogs, and themselves.
Don’t we all sort of know how dogs see the world, how they smell much better than we do and how they descend from wolfs… or not? Horowitz clears up misconceptions and takes you a step further. Into the dogs mind. What information does the fire hydrant give him (it’s like the community board or local newspaper) and why do they not find the ball right in front of their nose. Day after day that I am reading, chapter after chapter, I am understanding my dogs a little better. In small, but significant ways.
I can only encourage everyone to read it. I might get back to you about when I’m actually done. Not with a reviewed review, but with more wisdom 
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Puppy Mills
Posted on March 1, 2010
Remember Charli?
I posted her pictures last week. We took her in after Animal Control picked her and another boxer up somewhere in town. I was told that she is scared out of her mind and just needs to get out of the shelter until a rescue picks her up or we can find an adopter. She obviously has had one or more litters before, so they assumed she came from a puppy mill.
I have never dealt with or heard any details about dogs from a puppy mill before, so what I expects was a shy dog. Not this! We’ve had her for a week now and if I get her out of the door into the backyard on my first try I’m excited. I’m going to be honest, it is frustrating. And after I get mad at her and realize it is not her fault and getting mad just makes it worse then I get mad at whoever did this to her. REALLY mad. Like I want to cry and hurt that person. A LOT.
For everyone who also has not dealt with a dog like this before, let me give you a couple of examples. Charli has no idea that this world out there is fun, that other dogs are to play with and that people want to love her. She runs almost every time we approach her, if anyone else comes over she hides only God knows where. She is scared to walk on our kitchen floor, because she learned right away that she will slide in case she has to run away really quick. She won’t walk out of the back or front door unless we all (meaning me and all other dogs) go out there. She won’t come back in if anyone is standing within ten feet of the door and definitely not if that person is turned toward her or is looking at her. When we take her on walks (after she didn’t throw herself around like an alligator anymore) she only walks behind ALL of the people that come with. Once in a great while she will attempt to run with the other dogs only to look back after a few steps and realize that she ran in front of us and has to get back into her place ASAP (makes me wonder if the theory of dogs having to walk behind their owners just means the dog is scared out of his mind about what would happen if he doesn’t). And she has absolutely no idea what praise is. Kind words and treats are lost on her and she likes to be petted but first you have to get close enough to be able to touch her.
If I would have done a little more research on puppy mill dogs before, I probably would have spared me the frustration… or at least expected it. Here is what the ASPCA write about what to expect if you adopt a puppy mill dog: “It’s not uncommon for an unsocialized dog to hide under a couch or table for days or even weeks at a time, only coming out to eat and drink at night.” Compared to that Charli is a brave little soul.
So how can you help fight puppy mills:
1. DO NOT EVER BUY FROM A PET STORE unless you know the dogs are coming from a rescue group. And if they do they will NOT cost several hundred or even thousands of dollars.
2. Adopt!
3. If you want to buy from a breeder, make sure he/she is responsible.
4. Be careful about offers on the internet. Instead check petfinder.com where tons of humane society advertise their dogs.
Find more details about how to fight puppy mills on the ASPCA website.
More information about puppy mills can be found here on the ASPCA website.
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SPRING
Posted on February 28, 2010
There were two hints today that make believe very strongly that Spring is on its way. And please don’t tell me otherwise, because I need to get out of this winter depression!
So, in search of good news I bravely went to weather.com today and found clue no. ONE: several days with sun and 50 degrees in our near future. And then clue no. TWO: after a long time of only one paw on the daily “Comfort Index” for pets I finally saw TWO. And I have proof. Please allow me draw your attention to this unshapely red circle I drew for you over there on the right!
I’m simply going to ignore that the comfort index for Weatherford, TX, where I lived only a year ago, is four paws…
Want to get the PetCast for your town? Go here and enter your zipcode. It is also going to tell you the best times to walk your dog. What a handy feature for the hot summer! (or cold winter, but we are not using this word anymore!!!)
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Agility, home made.
Posted on February 26, 2010
As promised, here is my latest project:
Last week I built my own little agility course in our backyard! It was sunny outside and I decided to finally get started on this project. My husband was home to help and I was so excited! The excitement was only lowered a bit by the sudden snow that appeared as soon as I had everything set up and was ready to go.
But I know spring is coming. It’s so close I can almost feel it. Mac’s agility class is starting next week and Maize’s isn’t far away, either. And then these little PVC constructs are going to come in very handy! Because I know at least about the weave poles that you are supposed to practice them more than just once a week in class. And Mac is already getting so good. We just do it once or twice a day. Did I mention that I find these so handy?
And the best thing is, other than what you find in most online stores, this practice equipment is really inexpensive. I lost a few receipts, but I promise I did not spend more than $100. Probably closer to $70. That got me enough PVC for two jumps, a crawl element, weave poles and a (kids) tunnel. Still to be build are a pause table and a teeter. The pause table will be basically for free. We are still waiting for the store to call us about one of their electric wire spools. Once they got an empty one we will put a board on top and maybe some carpet scraps and voila, there is our pause table. My husband did not like the building plans for teeters online, so he’s got his own plan (that still has to be executed). But other than that we are set for practice!
If you can feel the spring now, too, and want to start a project like this visit some of the following websites or do your own search. BUT please, for your own sake, think it through a little better than I did. I just printed out all the instruction and headed of to the store just to come back home and find out that the instructions were missing parts. And then I had to go back because I ran out of spray paint. Then again because I forgot to buy end caps to put on all of the poles. And then again to buy more spray paint… and once I had all of my paint I thought I should have chosen more stylish colors. But the store I went to didn’t have the variety I would have liked so I will just give everything a make-over next spring.
Okay, I was gonna list some websites for instructions,wasn’t I? Here they are:
Canine Crib (nice and cheap instructions but make sure to check your list, they are missing things here and there)
Instant Agility (I liked their idea of the weavepoles, but I was too lazy)
Camp Bandy
Apparently there is a book, too: Do-It-Yourself Agility Equipment
And seriously, there is no need to have a husband around (unless maybe for the teeter). PVC is so easy to work with. Cut, paint, stick together. I ended up glueing a few pieces because I have mine sitting in the yard all of the time and my dogs play recklessly and run everything over that is not glued or stapled into place. And I have to admit that I might eventually invest in an actual dog tunnel. Mac loves it, I’m actually going to have to work on how to have him NOT go through it) and they love to play with it, hide in it, run underneath and so on. Plus, the kids tunnels are just smaller and not so easy to curve. But other than that I am super happy with my setup and can only recommend it. If you plan it well it takes no longer than a weekend for everything to be cut, the paint to dry and everything to be assembled.
Update: I just got my Modern Dog Magazine (Spring 2010) and all the way in the back I found a How to… Make your own Backyard Agility Course. So if you are interested, it makes it even easier than mine with a hoolahoop hanging from a tree and plywood and cinder blocks for a dog walk. Check it out!
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Nadja, I’m not sure if you’ve seen this yet or not, but last year I showed Oprah’s episode on puppy mills to my wildlife biology class. It was near the end of the year, and a question came up about puppy mills and what they were all about. I found the video on youtube, in segments. I was HORRIFIED when I watched it. I’d read a little bit about puppy mills before, and I always told people to adopt, not buy from pet stores, but I had no idea how bad they are. It’s a gut wrencher, and I bawled the first time I saw it, but I’m glad I did. It’s a sad, sad life for those animals, and I think the world needs to be aware of what the breeder dogs go through for those cute pet shop dogs and cats! Hopefully seeing the video planted a seed in the minds of my students, and hopefully they will be able to spread the word to their friends and families. I wish more attention was given to this topic! Thanks for blogging about it!