What is bloat?
Bloat occurs when gas forms in the stomach causing it to swell.
In severe cases the stomach twists at both ends, which does not allow the gas to pass. This is called torsion, and is quite often fatal.

What causes bloat?
Bloat seems to occur when a dog does not have enough of the correct enzymes to break down food in the stomach. Several factors may be involved:

1. Familial – some families of dogs seem to have less of these good enzymes than others
2. Stress – bouts of stress reduce the effectiveness of stomach acids and enzymes
3. Exercising – strenuous exercise right before or right after feeding heats up the body and can lead to bloat
4. Foods – dog food based on barley, wheat, and other expandable grains can be a factor

How to manage and/or prevent bloat:

• Use a feeder bowl to encourage  slower eating (we recommend the Break Fast Bowl from Dog Supplies)
• Wait an hour after eating before letting your dog run or exercise
• Feed your dog a product that is not based on corn or other expandable grains
• Add a probiotic supplement to help break down food in the stomach (we recommend DogZymes from Nature’s Farmacy)
• If your dog has a severe case of bloat one time, ask your vet about having its stomach tacked
• Keep something like Gas –X on hand
• Bloat can kill a dog very quickly, so if you notice your dog beginning to bloat, call your vet immediately!
• Overall, try to avoid stressful situations, overeating and eating too fast

When it comes to fancy tricks, my dogs only know the basics: sit, down, speak, and dance. However, there are a few dogs that are truly exceptional. Here is a link to a wonderful video that was sent to me early this morning. It made me laugh....and then made me wonder if Justin or Stashie could be taught to do half of those things??!

Enjoy the video!

Morning Routine

This post comes to us by way of Rachael Venable. The past few weeks has been rather challenging for her. Yes, it is quite cold in Northern Virginia. And yes, it has snowed A TON in her area. Her challenge, however, has come in the way of power outages. While the news stations are making sure all two-legged citizens know what to do when faced with no electricity for several days, nothing has been said concerning pet care during this dark time (pun intended).

Therefore, Rachael has come up with some helpful tips for you and your dogs during prolonged power outages.

-          - Stock up on extra food and double-check medications: your vet and/or dog food store might also be without power. Not to mention potential road conditions. In my case, only the emergency vet three towns over was open. Very grateful we didn't need anything.

-         - That made me think of another one I didn't think of before: have doggie first-aid supplies in addition to people ones just in case (every dog owner should have one regardless--maybe you could do a blog post on that some day?)

-        -  In addition to regular winter paw care (such as wiping off road sand & salt, etc), towel off dog from wet snow. Wet fur in a cold house dries much more slowly. It’s like your great-aunt telling you to not go outside with wet hair…

-         -  I am not sure if this is common but our house was much dryer than normal. I was drinking water like crazy and still felt like I couldn’t get enough. I noticed that Kumbe was, too. I made sure to keep an extra eye on his water bowl and used slightly warm water instead of regularly cold water.  (Thankfully, we have a gas heater and always had hot water)

-        -  My springer, Kumbe, seemed fine during the day with the colder than normal temperatures inside but night was a different story. He was getting cold, too, and he got an extra blanket to curl up with and I double-checked for drafts near all his beds.

-          - Survey yard for falling limbs and icicles before letting him outside.  Huge scare one night with a falling tree. Really glad I decided to go out with him for “break-time,” instead of just letting him out the back door or something.

-          - Throughout the neighborhood, tree limbs and downed wires cluttered the sidewalks and we had to walk on the poorly plowed street.  Since cars can see a person before a dog, I kept myself between Kumbe and the cars. He didn’t always like it because he walks on the left but I felt it was the best way to avoid any catastrophes with skidding cars and slippery paws.

-         -  Check for downed wires in snowbankings before your dog lifts his leg on it! No, seriously. Really, really glad I was paying attention. 

-         - If road and weather conditions leave any doubt in terms safety concerns, consider another way to exercise: playing inside with the dog might just end up being a really fun way to both stay warm and break-up the monotony of being house-bound and cold.

-        -   In case the power stayed out for even one more day, I made sure I had a place to stay that allowed dogs. Leaving Kumbe at home alone was never an option.

-         -  Our neighborhood didn’t have any issues with water contamination but I figure that you can’t drink your water, neither should your dog (a sick dog and no power = 0 fun at all). When I stocked up on extra water before the storm, I factored in water for him, too. I didn't need to go out and get bottled water or anything, I just collected perfectly good tap water in bottles I already had.

-        -   Spoiled food is an unfortunate by-product of extended power outages. As soon as the food spoiled, it went straight to the outside garbage can to avoid even the slightest temptation of doggie dumpster diving. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Use these tips however you like. Hopefully it will help you if you are stuck in severe weather with no power!

First off, Happy New Year to all my readers! I hope this year will bring many great and exciting adventures.

Second, I will start the blog of the new year on a completely un-dog related topic. I want to talk about veggies. More specifically, I want to talk about the challenge my husband and I are undertaking. We have decided for the month of January to go vegetarian! The idea came about when I was visiting a friend of mine over the holidays. I picked up her vegetarian cookbook and realized that I liked a majority of the recipes in the book. When I mentioned this to my vegetarian friend, she asked, "Well, why don't you go vegetarian?" Why don't I indeed?! Thus the January, 2011 vegetarian challenge began.

The goal of the challenge is quite simple; see if Ryan and I can eat only veggies, milk, cheese, eggs and fish for one month. No beef! No pork! And certainly no late night chick-fil-a nuggets!

Although I wasn't certain how the challenge would turn out, I can safely say (13 days into it) that it has been really easy. And no, we aren't just eating salads and celery. We have found some amazing recipes online that are truly satisfying and tasty! As an extra bonus, Ryan and I have discovered an added benefit to going veggie. We have both lost weight! Ryan has lost 9 pounds in 13 days and I have lost 5! The only thing that has changed is the diet. We, unfortunately, have had horrible colds and were not able to workout. Once we are fully healed (hopefully next week) we will start a small workout program to include cardio and light weight resistance.

Since I've had a good experience going veggie, I thought I would share one of our new favorite recipes:

SPINACH STUFFED SHELLS

What You Need
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

1 container  (16 oz.) Cottage Cheese

1 red pepper, chopped

1   egg white
1 env. (0.7 oz.) GOOD SEASONS Italian Dressing Mix
1 cup  KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese, divided
20 jumbo macaroni shells (for stuffing), cooked, drained and cooled
1 jar  (13-1/2 oz.) spaghetti sauce

Make It
HEAT oven to 400°F.

COMBINE first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella; spoon into shells.

SPREAD half the sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish. Place shells in dish; top with remaining sauce and mozzarella. Cover.

BAKE 40 min. or until heated through, uncovering after 30 min.

I hope you all enjoy this meal as much as Ryan and I did!

This comes to us by way of the internet. Unfortunately, the author is unknown. Happy Holidays readers! See you next year!


Dear Santa,
I've been a good doggy mum all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my dogs on demand, visited the vet's office more than my own doctor, spent more on their shampoos and conditioners than I do for myself, and most of the time they are groomed better than I am.
 
I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with a black marker pen on the back of a dog food receipt in the laundry room between cycles of dog bedding, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the near future with puppies coming and dog shows on the horizon.

Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache, (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to put my struggling dog into the tub for a bath.
I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere eating dog show food, and at least three show outfits and some jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like nose print resistant windows, floors that clean themselves, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to eat my own snacks without having to share with a pack of barking maniacs.

On the practical side, I could use a battery operated dog that is always
stacked perfectly and moves to perfection on my command to boost my
showing confidence, along with at least two bitches who don't bump each
other to start a fight.

I could also use a recording of The Dog Whisperer chanting "Don't pee in the living room" and "Get off of her, she is not in heat" because my voice seems to be just out of my dog's hearing range and can only be heard by the next door neighbors who are
at least an acre away.
 
If it's too late to find any of these things, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container at a dog show.
 
Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and some of my dogs saw my feet under the laundry room door. They think I am eating dinner in here again and they are missing out on leftovers. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and look down so that you don't step into an "accident". I would have left cookies, but between the dogs and the cat, there is no chance that anything other than drool will be left on the plate. I left you a Hot Toddy to warm you from the cold, but after a day like this, I drank it myself.
 
Yours Always, Doggy Mum

These tips came from www.bestbullysticks.com

Mmmmm..Turkey

The tantalizing aroma of turkey, dressing & pumpkin pie will cause anyone to drool and drive a hungry dog to paw-lift the turkey. Even the most behaved and well-trained dog have been known to help themselves to a drumstick or two. However, it is important to remember that some of our Thanksgiving food favorites are toxic to pet and can cause death or illness, they should be avoided. When feasting & filling your hungry belly on the Thanksgiving bounty that you slaved feverishly in the kitchen to prepare please keep these holiday pet safety tips in mind. Taking a few precautions to keep your pet safe and the holidays full of bliss.

1. Keep pets on normal diet. Feeding turkey & sides to your dog or cat can cause him or her unwanted abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea. Not to mention can add a few unhealthy & unnecessary pounds to your pets waistline.

2. No Table Scraps Please! Do not give in to your pets pleading eyes & begging whines. Make sure to inform visiting guest and family to not indulge your pets with table scraps or sweets. Food high in sodium and other fatty foods like poultry skin, beef or port fat should not be on your dogs feasting menu. These foods, although tasty can cause an inflammation of pancreas. Pancreatitis is potentially life-threatening condition.

So what are some foods for your pet to avoid? Turkey skin, macadamia nuts, turkey bones, sage, chocolate, onions, nutmeg, grapes, raisins, sweets and the list goes on. So before the holidays arrive, be aware of what human foods are toxic to dogs and cats and keep the ASPCA pet poison control center number (888-426-4435) handy on the fridge.

3. Safely discard turkey string that tied the legs. Make sure to properly dispose of used aluminum foil, turkey pop ups, skewers, string, oven bags, whole lead seasonings plastic wrap, and wax paper that has been nicely flavored with turkey juice and all the fixing. Your pet will be tempted to lick and swallow which can lead to choking or  intestinal obstruction. One trick  is to put them in a sheet of unused foil as you prepare your dishes then wrap them up and place in the garbage that has a tight fitting lid. The foil will minimize the smell.

4. Secure the garbage can perimeter. If you haven’t already realized pets are scavengers and will wolf down anything that appears to be edible eye candy, especially if it smells good enough to eat or chew. Dogs are infamous for trash can tipping and dumpster diving. As an unsuspecting loving pet owner preoccupied with entertaining guest you may not realize that your dog has just sneaked off to his quiet spot to munch on a deadly snack.

5. Death by Chocolate. Although one of life simple pleasures chocolate is poisonous to dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine which is toxic to pets health resulting in rapid breathing and hyperactivity.

6. Don’t give your dog the wish bone as a chew toy or treat. Turkey, duck, geese & bird bones are dangerous for pets because they can easily become brittle, sharp, and splinter. If chewed can lodge in the esophagus or cause  stomach irritation or intestinal obstruction & trauma. Bones can puncture dogs intestine and cause fatal internal bleeding.

7. Minimize pets stress levels with daily routine. It is important that you maintain your pets regular schedule for feeding and exercise even in the midst of preparing frantically for the Holiday’s. It is so easy to neglect pets during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and for pets to become insecure. make sure you set aside quality time to spend with your pet.

By Billie Kerfoot

When my husband and I were first married, we had an English springer spaniel named Tiffany. In October of 1992, when Tiffany turned thirteen, she was diagnosed with tumors of the sinus cavity. Her last months of life were agony for me, and towards the end I knew it was time to let her go. It was a cold, raw afternoon on December 6, when we took Tiffany to the vet’s office. For the next couple of months, I mourned Tiffany, wondering if I had done the right thing.

In February 1993, Charlie and Erin left to go to New York to the Westminster dog show. After they left, I called my mother and mentioned that this was the first time in ten years that I had been left alone without Tiffany to protect me. At that moment I heard the sound of a dog running up the basement stairs. I told my mom that one of the dogs must have gotten out of the kennel room downstairs, and I would call her back. I opened the door to the basement and went downstairs. All the dogs were in their runs, and nothing was out of place. Later that night, I heard the click, click, click of toenails on the hardwood stairs which lead to the upstairs bedrooms. I jumped out of bed and called out Tiffany’s name, but there was only the sound of silence. This happened a number of times, and even my friend Cathy who often house sat for me heard the sound of a dog climbing the stairs.

A few weeks later, Erin was coming up from the kennel room, and as she reached the top of the stairs, she asked me if we were keeping Cathy’s springer, Jordan. I told her no and asked why. She told me that she had seen a liver and white dog sitting in the crate that had belonged to Tiffany. However, when she went back downstairs and looked again, the dog was gone.

On another occasion, Erin decided to sleep downstairs on the living room sofa with the new 10-week-old puppy that we had just gotten. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, I heard the puppy yelping in terror! I jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs. The puppy was trembling and I asked Erin what had happened. She groggily replied that it must have been the black dog that had frightened him. I asked her to explain, and she said when she heard the puppy scream, she opened her eyes and thought she saw the dark, shadowy figure of a dog looming over him. This was exactly what Tiffany used to do to show her dominance to any new dogs we brought into the house! After calming Erin, I went back to bed. About ten minutes later, every dog in the kennel room began this eerie moaning and howling that lasted for about five minutes.

As time went by, I began to realize that I had done the right thing to put Tiffany down so she would not suffer. One warm summer day, about two years after her death, I went to the backyard where Tiffany was buried. Leaning on the rail, I told her how much I had loved her, and how I missed her. I also told her that I was at peace now with her death, and that I did not want her to stay around here because of me. After that day, there were no more footsteps or sightings of Tiffany. Since I had finally found peace, she could rest in peace too.

A few years ago, we had a dog named Cali. I know that everyone thinks their dog is special, but Cali really was. You see, we found out that she had the ability to sniff out injuries. With my parents living in the mountains of Virginia, their cat often got into skirmishes with other cats. Undoubtedly, Cali was the first to let us know when Max, the cat, had been hurt. She would sniff the wound until we finally found it under all his fur.

In addition to sniffing out illness, Cali also used her powerful nose to find a lost dog. A friend of ours had an old, blind, deaf dog (not a good combination). This older dog escaped and wandered off. Frantic, the friend called and asked if we could bring Cali over to try and find the dog. We let Cali take in the scent of the other dog's blanket. After we were sure she had the scent, we let her out and simply kept asking her to find the dog. We blindly followed, hoping that Cali knew what she was doing. It turns out, she did! After a few twists and turns through the woods, Cali took us straight to where the dog was laying. When it was all over, the missing dog turned out to be half a mile from her home.

Cali's nurturing instinct was not limited to outstanding olfactory senses. While camping, my dog Scarlett stumbled into the river. The current was rather fast that day and Scarlett never was a proficient swimmer. When Scarlett started to panic, Cali jumped in the water to save her. Cali swam straight to Scarlett, nudged her, and stayed by her side until they made it to shore. I am always amazed at how strong certain instincts are in dogs. Cali was never trained to do the things she did, but that did not stop her. She followed her instincts and helped several of our dogs (and cat) throughout her lifetime.