Posted by Jess Saba on Mon, Jul 13, 2009 @ 08:31 PM
Hello fellow pups! I'm Scout and I can't believe my mom let me have my very own blog! If you could see me now, I'm jumping all over the place I'm so excited! You'd think after the day I had at Camp I'd be sound asleep next to my brother Ray Ray, a big black lab. He's a lot bigger than me-- and older, but I'm the boss in our house. At least Ray Ray let's me think I'm the boss. He's so much bigger than I am that he could crush me like a bug if he wanted...but he doesn't. He's just a big ole teddy bear and I love him.
I live in Boulder, Colorado, and my day job is mascot for Camp Bow Wow® premiere doggy day and overnight camp. That's me on the front page! I look forward to sharing our Camp adventures with you and all your friends! And, you'll meet many of my closest friends too.
Posted by Jess Saba on Sun, Jul 12, 2009 @ 02:31 PM
Did you know:
One in four dogs dies of cancer? It is the number one killer of our canine friends, and accounts for half the deaths of dogs age 10 and older.
What are the causes of canine cancer?
There are no definitive answers to this question but, The National Canine Cancer Foundation offers warnings about potential causes of canine cancers and solutions to help decrease the chances of your dog getting the disease.
1. Monitor everything that goes into your dog's mouth.
Some dog treats and dog foods contain harmful carcinogens. Since many dog foods and dog treats are unregulated, try making your own. Dehydrated vegetables are a great alternative to store bought chew toys.
2. Monitor the medicine your dog is given.
Many vaccines are over prescribed. Do some research and ask lots of questions to make sure your dog needs every vaccine the vet recommends.
Also, many flea and tick medications kill pests through the use of poisons. This means your dog is also being exposed to these toxins. Speak to your veterinarian about which medicines are the least harmful in the long run to your pet.
3. Monitor the household chemicals your dog is exposed to
Take a look in and around your house and reevaluate the chemicals your use to clean, disinfect, fertilize your lawn or kill rodents. How many are produced with unpronounceable chemicals?
Do some research to see if you can replace household chemicals with a natural or less abrasive alternative. Not only will this keep your dog healthier but the change can help keep you and your family safer as well.
The more natural and less processed the better.
More Information:
The National Canine Cancer Foundation is a nationwide, contribution funded, 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to eliminating Cancer as a major health issue in dogs by funding grants directly to Cancer researchers who are working to save lives, find cures, better treatments and accurate, cost effective diagnostic methods in dealing with canine Cancer.
http://www.wearethecure.org/Camp Bow Wow is working to find a cure for canine cancer. In addition to funding a yearly scholarship at the world-renowned CSU Animal Cancer Center, Bow Wow Buddies has launched Lend a Paw for the Cure, a campaign to raise money and awareness for the research and treatment of canine cancer. For more information on Bow Wow Buddies, please visit: http://bowwowbuddies.com/#
Posted by Jess Saba on Thu, Jul 09, 2009 @ 08:35 PM
Hi fellow furry friends!
I just wanted to share my experience at the most fun camp I've ever been to! My name is Barkley and I was homeless just a few months ago. The great camp counselors at Camp Bow Wow were nice enough to take me in and foster me so I could play all day with other dogs and get royal treatment rather than being stuck in a shelter! Not too long after I got there, my new parents took me home with my new brother, Slick.
For Thanksgiving, our parents were going out of town, so they took us to Camp Bow Wow for the weekend! I was so excited, I nearly peed myself in my parent's new car, but luckily I didn't. I think I almost passed out from excitement when I went into the lobby - hard to remember since I was hyperventilating. Anyway, Slick and I got to play for 4 days straight with so many of our other doggy friends (a lot of them I already knew from my first stay there - hi to Molly, Gertie, Pal and Bandit!) and then Slick and I got to share our own big cabin since they must know we don't like to be separated at night (although Slick is a bit of a bed hog). We knew our parents were watching us on the Live Camper Cams so I did my best to slobber at the cameras.
So this year, I'm thankful for my new parents and brother, but also for the kindness and energy of the Camp Bow Wow counselors and staff! Not sure where I'd be without them!
Hope my parents want to go away for Christmas too so I can go back - if not for an overnight stay, at least for some day camp fun! I know my parents love it when I come home exhausted.
See you soon!
Barkley
(Saint Bernard Mix - we think.)
Posted by Jess Saba on Thu, Jul 09, 2009 @ 08:34 PM
It's that time of year, when the world falls in love...every song you hear, seems to say....
Hey all! Scout here. I absolutely LOVE holiday music. (A couple stations here in Colorado started playing it the week before Thanksgiving!) For me it triggers the coming of the month of December. And, whatever holiday you may celebrate during the month, it kicks off the season of giving. Whether it's the bell ringers and red kettles outside of the stores, your local fireman calling and asking for help, or your local humane society asking you to remember your furry friends, they are all working to help those less fortunate.
As I am a dog (duh!), of course, I especially favor those that help my furry friends. I encourage everyone of you to reach into your heart and give this holiday season. There are many furry friends out there waiting to find their forever home, and thousands will be adopted during this holiday season. Check in with your local humane society or local rescue organization, where even the simple gift of a bag of dog food is appreciated. I know the economy is tough, and there is much uncertainty about the future, but giving even the smallest amount goes a long way in helping our furry friends. There are many pups out there waiting for their forever home. Supporting the organizations that help these pups find homes is an awesome thing! I was one of those pups...and now that I've found my forever family, I'll never let them go!
Helping others gives me a warm fuzzy all over. I hope it does you too!
Until next time! --Scout
Posted by Jess Saba on Thu, Jul 09, 2009 @ 08:33 PM
Hi all my furry friends (and their parents!)
Today I'm wearing my Camp Bow Wow mascot hat. I wanted to share some fun information about our partnership with Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks to help promote the upcoming feature film, Hotel for Dogs, in theaters, Friday, January 16, 2009.
(View the movie trailer by visiting www.hotelfordogsmovie.com.)
Many of our Camps have partnered with local theaters so don't be surprised if you see a Camp Bow Wow booth at your local theater on opening weekend! Camp owners and couselors will be there handing out bandanas and movie posters. Free stuff! Woohoo!
Hotel for Dogs Synopsis:
In this family film, NANCY DREW's Emma Roberts leads a star-filled cast that includes Kyla Pratt, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon, and Don Cheadle. A pair of orphaned siblings (Roberts and Jake T. Austin) are forced to give up their beloved dog... In this family film, NANCY DREW's Emma Roberts leads a star-filled cast that includes Kyla Pratt, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon, and Don Cheadle. A pair of orphaned siblings (Roberts and Jake T. Austin) are forced to give up their beloved dog when they move into a foster home. But since they can't stand to live without him, they turn a closed hotel into a home for their dog--and any other strays they can find. HOTEL FOR DOGS is based on the novel by Lois Duncan.
I don't know about you, but I love movies with dogs in them! Ha!
'Til next time...WOOF! -- Scout
Posted by Jess Saba on Thu, Jul 09, 2009 @ 08:30 PM
As the weather changes it is important to keep a your dog safe, healthy and happy. Below are some tips to keep in mind as cold weather sets in.
Cold Weather Tips:
Anti-Freeze- In cold weather, keep your pets away from antifreeze solution, and promptly clean up any antifreeze that spills. Antifreeze is attractive to pets and is deadly, even in very small amounts.
Spend more time inside- Most urban pets spend the majority of their time indoors, and don't have tolerance for extremely cold weather. Do not leave your pets outdoors unattended when the temperature gets below freezing! Pets must build up a thicker coat and get their footpads toughened for snow and ice. Pets that get too chilled could develop hypothermia or even frostbite. Ear tips are especially susceptible to frostbite.
Outerwear - Dogs with very short coats have the least tolerance for cold. Extremely short-coated breeds include Greyhounds, Dobermans, Boxers, Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas. These breeds shouldn't go outside without a sweater or a coat except for short times to relieve themselves. Small dogs with short coats (such as Chihuahuas, miniature Pinschers, and miniature Dachshunds) are especially vulnerable to cold. They may not tolerate any outdoor exercise in extremely cold weather.
Foot (Paw) care - Many dogs need boots in cold weather, regardless of coat length. If your dog frequently lifts up his paws, whines or stops on his walks, his feet are uncomfortably cold. Be sure to get your dog used to wearing boots before cold weather sets in.
Iceball formation- A frequently seen foot problem is the formation of iceballs between the pads and toes of the feet, especially in dogs with long fur. Once iceballs form, they are very painful, much like walking on rocks. When dogs get these, they often whine, stop walking and start chewing at the bottoms of their feet to remove the painful iceballs.
To help prevent iceballs, trim hair around your dog's feet. Apply a small amount of Vaseline, cooking oil, or PAM spray to your dog's feet before taking him for a walk. Make sure you use oil that can be eaten; most dogs lick at their paws. If your pet walks on salted sidewalks or streets, be sure to wash his paws after your walk. Salt is very irritating to footpads. Many dogs will quickly start whining and biting at their feet after just a few steps on salted roads. Gently rub the bottom of the feet to remove the salt as soon as your dog is off the road.
Outdoor pets and acclimation to cold weather- If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, let him get acclimated gradually to dropping temperatures. Once a pet is acclimated to either warm or cold, a long dose of the other extreme is hard to take. Outdoor pets need a sheltered place that is well bedded with DRY straw, shavings, blanket strips or other insulating material that traps warm air. Also, remember that animals drag a lot of moisture into their bedding areas from snow, rain and mud. Check it often and change it whenever it is wet, or your pets can't keep themselves warm. Northern dog breeds such as Huskies and Malamutes who actually work in the winter pulling sleds need more calories.
Indoor Pets- The rest of the pet population generally gets less active in winter. Consequently, cut back a bit on what you feed your animals, or your vet will be nagging you in spring about your portly pets.
Article Source: University of Minnesota Vet. Outreach Programs, written by Dr. Laurie Greene
Posted by Jess Saba on Thu, Jul 09, 2009 @ 08:29 PM
Hi fellow Camp Bow Wow lovers! My name is Liberty and I'm a golden retriever. I'm a regular camper at Camp Bow Wow and a friend of Scout. Scout invited me to blog with him...so here I am.
Check out my picture...it was taken after a busy day at Camp!
We spend most of the day at Camp romping around and wrestling. Friday there were two new Campers at Camp- Buzz and Gus. New campers bring out the best in all of us old timers. We have to check them out, sniff and figure out who's in charge. Buzz is a Jack Russel terrior who yipped and jumped a lot the first few minutes he was in the play yard, but he settled down after a bit and played with Gina another seasoned Camper who resides in the small dog play yard. Gus, a huge shepard mix, hung out with us big dogs. Gus is older and very mellow. He didn't play much, but he didn't mind us sniffing him or playing around him. He played with us a little, then laid in the corner of the indoor yard and took a nap.
I went home before Gus, but I saw my favorite Camp Counselor, Sam, putting together Gus' First Day at Camp Certificate and Report Card when I was leaving. I'm sure they gave Gus an A+! They took his picture while he was in the play yard. Gus is good about pictures. He looked right at the camera and smiled! I remember my First Day at Camp Certificate. It was on our refrigerator at home for a long long time! I know Gus must love his Certificate too. I can't wait to see him at Camp again.
Thanks, Scout, for inviting me to be a part of your blog! I'll be back again soon!
Posted by Jess Saba on Thu, Jul 09, 2009 @ 08:27 PM
Good morning my fellow Camp Bow Wow'ers, Scout here. Wow, what a crazy, but wonderful week I've had! Without further ado, I'll jump right in!
Last Tuesday, representing Camp Bow Wow and the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation (always working when you're a mascot, you know), I went along with six Camp Bow Wow corporate employees to Colorado State University to check out how the Bow Wow Buddies sponsorship is being used. We got to meet Jim Perry the DVM, PHD residency dude we're sponsoring at the Veterinary College at CSU. He's a fast tracker (at age 29, he's already a full fledged Vet and has his PHD!). Everyone liked him very much and the ladies I was with thought he was really cute (this is me rolling my eyes). Seriously, though, our sponsorship dollars are being put to very good use.
The research they are doing there to help fight and cure canine cancer is unbelievable. We were all humbled at what we saw and how much good is being done there. I was especially humbled at the time Dr. Withrow and Dr. Christine Hardy spent giving us a tour of the facility and answering all of our questions. Dr. Withrow heads up the entire program and the fact that he would take time out to tell us how important our sponsorship is and explain everything they are doing really blew me and the CBW staff away. On top of that, Dr. Christine shared that one of Dr. Withrow's cancer treatments that originated with dogs has since been used in children suffering from cancer. It's a radiation treatment for limbs...now children have the chance to save their arms and legs. OMG, Wow!
I'm exhausted just telling you about it and reliving the day! It was a fabulous experience. Check out the Morris Animal Foundation Cure Canine Cancer Campaign website listed in the right margin of my blog. They are a key partner with Dr. Withrow and CSU.
Talk to you all soon! -Scout