*Achoo* - Bless You

A lot of people with allergies thought they couldn’t own a dog until someone said well get a hypoallergenic dog. What makes some dogs hypoallergenic? Some breeds have hair versus fur. Since the hair tends to shed less then the dander and saliva which is stuck to the hair isn’t released into the environment.

I am extremely allergic to cats and whenever I’m near them I can’t function. My eyes get all puffy and I start itching all over. But being a dog groomer I’ve only encountered a few dogs where I had the same reaction as if it was a cat. Did I stop grooming those dogs?? No instead I gave them a bath first to get rid of all the dander. Once they were all clean I was able to breathe and stop scratching.

So a while back I came across an article in the Daily News which was very interesting. Read full article

Does that mean if you have allergies you really shouldn’t get a dog?? I say do your research and find a dog that sheds less and try to keep the dog clean. If all else fails, take allergy meds. =)

Here are a list of “hypoallergenic” dogs to help get you started on your research:

Hawkeye lays by the casket during the funeral of his owner, Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson, on August 19.

For full story: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44271018/ns/today-today_pets_and_animals/#.TlaLJKjsadA

National Dog Day!!!

It happens every year on August 26th. National Dog Day was founded in 2004 by Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Behaviorist, Colleen Paige. National Dog Day was created to honor dogs more than we currently do, to give them “a day”, to show deep appreciation for our long connection to each other – for their endearing patience, unquestioning loyalty, for their work, their capacity for love and their ability to impact our lives everyday in the most miraculous ways. This awesome day is also sponsored by Animal Miracle Foundation + Network. To learn more about, you can visit http://www.nationaldogday.com

“It is the Human Condition to Love.
It is Love that Changes the Human Condition.
It is the Love of one Human that can Change a Nation.
It is that Love which empowers one Nation, to save man’s best friend.”
~ Colleen Paige – Founder of National Dog Day

Here is a beautiful video by the Thomas University Library

Maximum Charges Against Matthew Weatherspoon for Stabbing Puppy in the Face 5 Times!

In the midst of such a terrible disaster, a dog shows us true loyalty and love….

Today is my older dog’s birthday. He turned 6 which meant he got a special dinner of boiled chicken with dry food. He loved it. While I was making the chicken he was sitting in the kitchen waiting as if he knew whatever was cooking on the stove was for him. He also got a toy for his birthday.

Do you do anything special for your dog? Does too much cake give your dog a tummy ache? If you have gifts for your dog, do you actually wrap it?

Image from CakePictureGallery.com

Why would anyone even attempt to try this? The woman thought that the dog will be ok because she punched some air holes in the box. BUT she failed to realized that when she taped up the box she also taped up the air holes. The only reason why the post office even opened the box was because the box moved and fell onto the floor. Not to mention there was heavy panting.

She also had the nerve to go back to the post office and ask for her $22 back!!!

The woman was cited for misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Is that enough of a punishment?

What do you think they should have done to her?

I think they should have put her in a box and airmailed her to Timbuktu or Abu Dhabi and see how long she can survive in a box with no air or water.

For the full story: http://www.startribune.com/local/115011544.html

1. Bathing :: How often should a dog be bathed?? I usually tell my clients that a dog doesn’t need to be bathe too much or else you run the risk of having dry skin. If you must bathe your dog often, stick to oatmeal which is not as harsh as some other shampoos. Try to make bath time enjoyable for the dog. Massage the shampoo into your dog’s bath. Scratch behind the ears and chin. Soon the dog will love bath time.

2. Teeth Brushing :: This may seem like a daunting task but if you start brushing your dog’s teeth at a young age, eventually it will just become part of their routine. There are lots of dental products that help with cleaning your dog’s teeth. It’s always best to start off getting your dog use to tasting the toothpaste and having a toothbrush inside of his/her mouth. Once the dog doesn’t seem to mind, you can start brushing. Start off brushing a few teeth and increase the number of teeth every time. In no time, your dog won’t make teeth brushing such a chore.

3. Ear Care :: Drop eared dogs tend to require a little more attention. Since the ear is down, there isn’t as much exposure to air. To pluck or not to pluck? It’s really the owner’s preference but in my opinion, when there’s too much hair int he ear canal it tends to block the air more and it seems to cause the ears to itch more. Keep in mind that if you do pluck, make sure you are plucking the hair that is growing out of the canal and not the hair on the ear flap. After plucking or not plucking, you should use a cotton swab and wet it with some ear cleaner and swab the ear. Clean off any wax that you see. Never use cotton swabs!!

4. Nail Trimming :: Nail trimming seems like a scary task but it doesn’t have to be. Some people think that if you cut the nails shorter then you won’t have to cut them as often. This is definitely not the case. The best thing is to trim close to the quick without actually cutting the quick. If you are unsure of what to look for there are other ways to ensure your dog’s nails are well maintained. A nail file works just as well and it own’t hurt the dog easily. Another great tool is a nail grinder. Finally you can always just take your dog out for his/her daily walks. The sidewalk is a natural file for the nails.

5. Hair Brushing :: Brushing your dog’s hair is a great way for you to bond with your dog. Most dogs loved to be brushed. It’s a very calming and soothing experience for them. It’s also a great way to prevent your dog’s fur from getting matted and result in getting the dreaded shave down.

6. Haircuts :: If you decide to try your hand at cutting your dog’s hair yourself, please proceed with caution. Keep in mind, a dog may fidget and move so pay attention at all times, especially if you have a pair of sharp scissors in your hand. If you get clippers, make sure you check the blade often to make sure it doesn’t get to hot or else you will end up burning your dog. When in doubt, leave it up to the professionals.

Some important ones to consider are:

1. Vaccinations :: Make sure your pet get’s his/her yearly examination along with any necessary shots he/she may need.
2. Smile :: Life gets real busy at times but if you don’t brush their teeth how are they going to keep them pearly white. Not to mention how your dog loves to lay down by your face and when they yawn it isn’t such a pretty experience.
3. A pound here or there :: Sometimes it’s just easier to give your dog table scraps, especially when they are bothering you while you eat. Or give them a treat because they are just so darn cute. Whatever the reason, make sure your dog has a well balanced diet. A few pounds may not seem like a lot but the extra weight puts a lot more pressure on your dog’s little knees.
4. Exercise, exercise and exercise :: In January more people sign up for gym memberships than any other time of the year. Why not, exercise with your dog?  Take him/her out for a quick jog, even a snowball fight. Just get moving….

In the end you will spend some quality time with your pet and they will love you even more than they already do….

Lately, a few people have called us asking if we knew anyone interested in a getting a dog. These are dogs that are being given up by their owners because they no longer have the time to look after them. If these dogs don’t find a home they usually end up in the shelters where they may or may not ever get adopted. It breaks my heart when someone gives up their dog. What happened to that bond you form?

I can’t imagine ever giving up any of my dogs. They are like children to me. They depend on me for food, shelter and companionship. In return they will love you unconditionally and never judge you. I highly recommended everyone not to purchase a dog as a gift for the holidays because come New Years the shelters will be filled with unwanted dogs.

I also think everyone should consider fostering a dog to see how much work it really is to own a dog. We work with a foster group and every time I hear the story of how the dog was found, it’s really sad. Dogs are meant to be disposable. How would you feel if your parents felt after 2 years you were too much to handle and left you on the street or dropped you off at some shelter? You’ve never known anything else and now you are by yourself in a strange place wondering what you did wrong.

We too also recently adopted an older dog. At first, he was a little scared and shy and didn’t really know how to act around my other dogs. But he is slowly finding his place with us. At times he still acts up but all in all he’s a wonderful boy. He craves nothing more than just to be with you. As long as he is near you he’s has his goofy smile and his tail wags a mile a second.

Remember to have a safe and fun holiday! Stay away from the pet store unless you are planning to buy a gift for your furry child.

Happy Holidays to all the pets out there!!!