Posted by Jess Saba on Mon, Mar 08, 2010 @ 12:58 PM
Meet Jake! He is our lovable, almost 9 year old, Labrador retriever. Jake by far is the most wonderful dog we have ever owned, in fact I would bet he is the most loving and indestructible lab there ever was! I have heard horror stories of labs chewing up everything from shoes to couches... but not our Jake, he never chewed up a thing.
He was put into our lives to bring us happiness and companionship. Just say his name, watch his tail wag, and you have a friend for life! When Jake came into our lives, we did not have any children. We had Jake and one other dog, a husky named Alpine. Once I got pregnant things changed, for the better. While pregnant with my first child (a little girl), Jake would never leave my side. He followed me around more than ever. They say dogs have an instinct, well he definitely does.
I will never forget the day that Jake protected me from a home break-in when I was 36 weeks pregnant. It was just after Christmas before the New Years Eve holiday. I was resting at home while my husband had just left to run a few quick errands. As I was lying on our bed with Jake watching TV, I heard a loud noise. Jake jumped off our bed faster than I have ever seen him move in my life and bolted to the back of the house. I heard Jake bark and growl in a way that I did not recognize. My heart was pounding and I was unsure what was going on. Was it the mailman...FedEx? From Jake's tone it sure did not sound like any visitor whom had been at our house before. I walked quickly into the kitchen and watched the sliding glass door slam. Two teenage boys ran out the sliding glass door. I opened the door, shaking out of my mind and Jake and Alpine went running after them. They got away and jumped over our fence which backed to a busy street and were gone. I immediately called the police followed by my husband. The punk kids got away and were never caught. As I am pretty sure their intent was to steal from our home, I am thankful everyday that Jake was there to protect me from what could have been a very dangerous situation.
Jake and my bond grew stronger from that day on. Two weeks later when I went into labor, Jake was pacing the floor the entire night. Jake would come up and nudge me every once in a while to check on me. That next day our first child was born. Jake as we thought was AMAZING with our new baby girl! Before we brought her home from the hospital, my husband brought home one of her hospital blankets to allow the dogs to smell her. We had read this in a book and it was a great idea! Introducing her to the dogs was very simple. Both dogs in fact were very protective of the new baby. Jake and Alpine would take turns resting on the floor near her crib at night and were always with me during those middle of the night feedings.
As the years went by and our baby girl grew, Jake found a new place to sleep each night, from the foot of our bed to the foot of my daughters bed. Today we have two daughters, ages 6 and 3. Jake takes turns sleeping with the girls each night. He starts out on one bed and usually wakes up on another. The girls love having Jake in their beds. They feel safe even though he is quite the bed hog. Jake has become a best buddy to our girls. He will play with them by chasing them around the house in the most gentle of ways.
We are so very lucky to have Jake in our lives! I grew up with dogs and cannot imagine my life without them. We all have amazing stories of our dogs and other companion animals. It is truly amazing the impact they make on our lives in such a short time. I wish everyone to experience the love and loyalty of a Buddy Jake like we have someday!
Posted by Jess Saba on Wed, Jan 27, 2010 @ 01:18 PM
Top Dog Breed in America, Again
The Labrador Retriever has been ranked the #1 dog breed in America by the American Kennel Club. 2009 is the 19th year in a row that the Labrador Retriever has been recognized as the most adopted dog in the country. The AKC attributes the breed's loyal and gentle nature to it's popularity with American families.
The results are based on 2009 registration results and were announced today in New York City's Grand Central Terminal.
German Shepards are the runner up breed due to their reputation for being great guard dogs.
Here are the top 10 rankings: 2009 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Bulldog
8. Dachshund
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu
Labrador Retriever's Popularity
The American Kennel club described the characteristics of the Labrador Retriever's and the reasons for his continued popularity:
"An ideal sporting and family dog, the Labrador Retriever thrives as part of an active family or as a trusted hunting companion. A double-coated breed which sheds seasonally, regular grooming keeps his coat at its water-resistant best. Because of his even temperament and trainability millions of Americans own a Labrador Retriever as a pet."
For more information on Labrador Retreivers visit the American Kennel Club website.
Do you own a Labrador Retriever or any of the dog breeds on the top ten list?
Posted by Jess Saba on Wed, Dec 30, 2009 @ 11:15 AM
Spay and Neuter
As a responsible pet owner it is important to have your pet spayed or neutered to keep your dog healthy and to reduce the chances of unwanted puppy litters. The procedure is a form of birth control preformed by trained veterinarians to sterilize your dog. Sterilization decreases your dog's desire to roam and lessens aggressive behavior in males. Sterilization also helps decrease the overpopulation of homeless pets and to reduce the number of animals who must be euthanized each year because of the lack of animal shelter space.
Overpopulation
Overpopulation of homeless pets is a pressing animal welfare issue. Currently, there are between 6-8 million homeless pets in the U.S entering animal shelters each year. Unmonitored breeding of intact pets heavily contributes to pet overpopulation which results in the over capacity of animal shelters nationwide. While half of the pets in animal shelters are lucky enough to find homes, the other half are euthanized. Many people believe that euthanized homeless pets are the offspring of street animals, but the truth is that a huge percentage of destroyed dogs are puppies and purebred dogs.
Health
While decreasing pet overpopulation and saving dogs from being euthanized are major benefits of spaying and neutering, there are also many health benefits for your dog. Sterilization reduces the chance of your pet developing certain cancers and other health issues and may increase longevity by 1 to 3 years. Neutering male dogs decreases their desire to wander and therefore their chances of getting hurt or contracting diseases.
Spay-USA cites additional benefits of pet sterilization as articulated by the American Veterinary Medical Association:
"Your community will also benefit. Unwanted animals are becoming a very real concern in many places. Stray animals can easily become a public nuisance, soiling parks and streets, ruining shrubbery, frightening children and elderly people, creating noise and other disturbances, causing automobile accidents, and sometimes even killing livestock or other pets."-The American Veterinary Medical Association
"The capture, impoundment and eventual destruction of unwanted animals costs taxpayers and private humanitarian agencies over a billion dollars each year. As a potential source of rabies and other less serious diseases, they can be a public health hazard."- The American Veterinary Medical Association
More information and resources are available at :
www.spayusa.org
www.aspca.org
www.Humanesociety.org
Always contact your veterinarian to ask for the best health advice regarding your dog.
Posted by Jess Saba on Sat, Dec 26, 2009 @ 07:36 AM
Around Christmas time each year local humane societies across the country report large increases in dog adoptions. Presumably because families give dogs to their children to unwrap on Christmas morning. While it is not advised to give a dog as a present due to the chance the recipient may be unprepared for the responsibilities of owning a dog, the overwhelming commotion in the house and the dangerous lights, ornaments and gift wrap on the floor, the fact that Christmas promotes dog adoption is a wonderful result of the holiday chaos.
Below are a few stories about humane society success during the holiday season:
7 shelter animals granted Christmas wish: "The Ottawa Humane Society will deliver seven animals to new homes on Christmas morning as a surprise for children whose families adopted the pets weeks ago."
Shelter animals enjoy holiday: "The volunteers met at the shelter Friday morning and spent all of Christmas Day cleaning cages, cleaning the kitchen, cleaning and organizing the storage shed and doing all of the laundry available."
Pet Talk: Holidays bring homes, happiness for these lucky dogs: "Miracles happen all the time in shelters and rescue groups. But somehow, the ones during the holiday season seem a little more meaning-laden."
Another great holiday story:
Dog raises $3500 in Christmas toy donations: Rip Curl Ricki, a surfing dog, held a very successful fund raising and toy drive for Christmas.
Have you heard any great holiday dog stories lately?
Posted by Jess Saba on Sun, Dec 20, 2009 @ 12:34 PM
Many travelers fly across the country each holiday season and choose to bring their pets along with them. While it is recommended to only fly with your pet when necessary, below are some tips to ensure both of you have an easier flight.
Arrangements: After you book your flight ticket contact the airline to make arrangements for your pet to travel on the same flight. Some airlines permit a limited number of carry on pets per flight. For example, Northwest Airlines allows four in-cabin pets per flight, so be sure to book early to ensure your pet can travel under your seat.
Puppies: Pets less than 8 weeks old are not permitted to travel with most airlines.
Documentation: Check with state authorites to verify required documentation. Always bring original copies of required documents.
Additional Fees: Plan for unexpected charges ranging from $75 to over $200.
Cargo Pet Travel:
- If a dog and carrier combined weigh more than 15- 25lbs, depending on the airline policy, your pet will be required to travel with the rest of your luggage as cargo. Below are a few tips for making his flight as comfortable as possible:
- Choose non-stop or direct flights: The fewer take offs and landings, the more comfortable your pet will be throughout the flight.
- Temperature and flight time: Northwest Airlines recommends the following advice, "In cold weather, choose mid-day flights when temperatures are likely to be warmer. When the weather is hot, choose early morning or late evening flights, which avoid the worst heat of the day."
- Blankets and toys: Include your pet's favorite blanket and one of his favorite toys.
In-Cabin Pet Travel:
- Carriers must be leak proof and ventilated on two or more sides.
- Most airlines require that your pet remain in the carrier at all time and securely under the seat in front of you.
Kennel Requirements
- Cargo kennels must be made of a rigid construction with a solid top. They must have ventilation holes and three sides of the kennel must be made of metal.
- Do not put a lock on the door. Your pet must be assessible in case of an emergency.
- The kennel must be large enough for your pet to move, sit, stand, and turn comfortably.
- The kennel must contain absorbent materials. Place a blanket, towels or shredded black and white newspaper on the floor of the kennel.
- Label the kennel with the words " LIVE ANIMAL," "THIS END UP" (with directional arrows) and provide your contact information.
- To help pet attendants, tape food to the kennel and indicate in writing if your pet will need to be fed, the last time of feeding, and if any tranquilizers have been given.
If you are unable to travel with your pet, or if your family members are " not dog people," check out Camp Bow Wow, the premier national doggie day and overnight boarding camp franchise. With over 160 locations nationwide, you are sure to find a camp near you.
Posted by Jess Saba on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 @ 02:45 AM
Finding Lost Pets
If your pet has ever escaped from his leash you know about the stress and anxiety involved with waiting for someone to find him and return him home.
In the past, a collar with the owner's phone number and address were the best hope for having a lost pet returned. Now, microchips are available to be an additonal way to ensure your pet is returned home safely.
How Dog Microchips Work
With new tracking technology a small microchip, which is about the size of a grain of rice, can be injected or inserted just under your pet's skin.
The chip contains a unique identification number which can be read by a handheld scanner. The number is connected to the owners contact information in a large database.
The American Kennel Club and Companion Animal Recovery keep records of the database to help reunite lost pets with their families.
There are a number of benefits associated with microchipping your pet, including permanent identification, the microchip cannot be lost, microchipping is simple and easy to inject and the procedure is inexpensive.
Although there are benefits to micro chipping, there remains some controversy about the effects of microchips in dogs. To ensure your pet stays healthy speak with your veterinarian about the procedure to make sure it is the right choice for you.
In addition to microchipping your dog, be sure to keep updated tags on his collar!
Posted by Jess Saba on Mon, Nov 30, 2009 @ 11:04 AM
Are you feeding your pet too much?
The other day I brought my friend's puppy to the vet for his shots. As we were waiting for the veterinarian, my attention fixated on a poster of an immensely obese dog. The poster warned against feeding your pet too much, rewarding him with too many high calorie treats and accidentally feeding him pet "junk food".
Some studies have suggested that over 40% of American household pets are overweight.
Pet obesity is caused by overfeeding your pet. To help your pet lose weight make sure he is burning more calories than he is consuming. This simply means feeding him less and exercising more. Additionally, make sure to avoid giving him too many treats.
Overweight pets tend to have shorter lives, joint and bone issues, cardiovascular, digestive and cirulatory problems.
Is your pet overweight?
Since each breed has a different ideal weight, ask your vet how much your dog should weigh to stay healthy. If you think he might be carrying extra weight check to see if you can feel his ribs without applying too much pressure. If you have trouble counting his ribs you may want to ask about a weight reduction plan.
What you need to know about maintaining a healthy weight for your pet:
- Pets gain excess weight simply from eating too much. The best way to
help your pet lose weight is to monitor his food intake
- Make sure you are providing high quality food. The best pet food is meat based and high in protein.
- In a large household make sure your family knows your pet is on a diet. No feeding from the table.
- Owners and their families tend to feed their pets too many treats. Purchase smaller low calorie treats and only provide a few everyday.
- Play more fetch. Increase the amount of exercise your dog gets. Take more walks, toss a few more tennis balls and introduce your pet to new friends.
Pets who maintain an ideal weight have more energy, fewer health problems and longer lives. Be sure to check with your vet before changing your pets diets and consult your vet if you have any concerns about his weight.
Posted by Jess Saba on Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @ 12:22 PM
Training Classes for Positive Owner-Pet Relationships
Many Humane Societies offer affordable workshops and classes to help owners hone basic dog training skills, alter social issues or teach advanced tricks. Classes are a great way for dog owners to strengthen the relationships with their animals. Owners who participate in workshops will be able to read dog behavior, understand their dog's learning style and learn new training techniques to develop positive relationships with their pets.
See below to find a class that may be helpful to building a great relationship with your dog:
Basic Training Classes-Teach your dog to sit and stay when asked, to lie down on command, to walk on a loose leash, leave distractions alone and come when called.
Socialization Skills-Help your dog become comfortable socializing with other dogs and people, teach him house manners, house training and how to play well with others.
Shy or Feisty Dogs- There are many classes to help dogs who growl, bark ,lunge, are shy or uncomfortable around other dogs. Classes will help you manage or modify these behaviors around other dogs.
Agility Classes- Teach your dog the skills needed to participate in dog agility events. You will both learn learn jumps, running as a team, pole weaves and more.
Private Lessons for Aggressive Dogs-Your dog may need private consultations if he is showing signs of territorial issues, is aggressive or guards resources from people or dogs.
Puppy Playtime- Learn and practice puppy social skills with other people and new puppies. These classes are a great way to burn off extra energy.
Unique Classes:
Baby Behavior Class- If you are worried about the way your dog might behave with a new baby, The Boulder Humane Society offers a class to teach new parents to have safe and comfortable dog and baby interactions.
Dog Yoga Class- The Seattle Humane Societyoffers classes to "explore yoga, massage, stretching and relaxation techniques for you and your dog."
Therapy Dog Training- The Wisconsin Humane Society offers classes to help you and your dog become an animal therapy team so you can volunteer in local hospitals, nursing homes and schools.
Dog Sport Classes- The San Diego Humane Society teaches you and your dog the skills needed to compete Flyball events. San Diego offers demonstrations by champion Flyball dogs before each class.
Visit your local Humane Society or
Camp Bow Wow for organized dog playtime, classes, and social events.
Posted by Jess Saba on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 @ 11:44 AM
Many dog owners prefer leather collars to synthetic material since they last longer. The difficulty is in finding a durable, stylish leather collar for a reasonable price.
Lennox Dog Collar Company based out of Colorado specializes in creating unique leather dog collars. Currently, The Lennox Dog Collar Company has four designs which are priced at $25.95 each.
For more information check out the website:
Posted by Jess Saba on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 @ 10:21 AM
Transporting your pet
Have you ever felt badly traveling with your pet, knowing he was in the cargo hold of a plane without supervision? Pet Airways has developed a service to alleviate the stress of transporting your pet.
Pet Airways is a pet airline that will fly your pet across the country in the main cabin, not in cargo. Pet Airways promises that your pet will never fly under the seat or as baggage again and will be taken care of throughout the flight by a trained attendant. The cabin temperature is controlled so there are no hot or cold weather conditions that would restrict travel.
Customers have the option to drop a pet off between 2 hours and 72 hours before the flight and Pet Airways will board your pet and provide bathroom breaks before the flight.
Travel arrangements can be booked online at PetAirways.com and owners can track their pet through the website
Cities Served
Pet Airways travels to and from the New York area(NJ,CT & Philadelphia), the Washington DC/Baltimore Area, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and Ft. Lauderdale.
Fares start at $149.
Have you used Pet Airways? How was the experience?
If you need to board your pet while on vacation or if you can't fly your pet, be sure to check out Camp Bow Wow, the premier doggie day and overnight boarding camp. With over 150 locations nationwide you are sure to find a location near you, while at home or on vacation.