Bless Everyone Who Rescues A Dog

My daughter and her family just adopted a dog from the Central California Labrador Retriever Rescue. Their beloved dog Bodie, also a rescue dog, was hit and killed by a car in March. Their new dog is a 2 year old black lab, named Sasha. I will have her picture up as soon as I get one. This poem is on the CCLRR website.

The Meaning of Rescue
Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked into my warm new bed.
I'd like to open my baggage,
Lest I forget,
There is so much to carry -
So much to regret. Hmmm...

Yes, there it is, right on the top,
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my bed hides Fear and Shame.
As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave -
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Or will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things -
And take me right back?

Do you have time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage,
And never repack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage -
Will you still want me?
~Author Unknown

Transitioning To A New Pet Food

I have written about the benefits of feeding your pet a high quality, natural, holistic or organic diet. When you switch your pet from one food to another there needs to be a transition time to avoid upsetting your pets digestive system.

Start by adding 25% (1/4) of the new food for about 5 days, increase to 50% (1/2) of the new food for about 5 days, and then add 75% (3/4) of the new food for 5 days. This schedule should prevent any problems transitioning to a new high quality food.

Your pet may eat less on a quality food because they are getting the nutrients they need. You will also notice less stools to clean up when your pet is on a better diet.

Pets Gain Weight On "Weight Loss" Foods

A recent survey indicated that 40% of America's pet population is overweight.

Twenty years ago commercial diets appeared for dogs and cats that were designed to promote weight loss. They are labeled "lite", "reducing", "weight control" or "senior diets". The problem is that they do not work and pets are gaining weight and not getting the vitamins, minerals and nutrients their bodies require.

The weight loss foods have lower protein and fat and more fillers and carbohydrates, such as corn. The theory is that the fillers or grains make the pet feel full, but they don't lose weight. The pet owners reduce the amount of food and may result in nutrient deficiencies in some animals. Many pets on these "weight loss" diets develop dry, itchy, flaky skin and have coats that are coarse and greasy and lack luster. They may have cracked nails and pads.

Better results will be obtained by eating controlled portions of a high quality pet food with high quality protein sources (main ingredient), moderate percentages of high quality fat and low in carbohydrates (grains). Add exercise to the recipe and the weight reducing results will be excellent and predictable.

The Diabetes Food Connection in Cats

I have been doing alot of research and reading lately to get information for this blog. I am so frustrated with all of the health problems of our pets. The root of the problem is the poor nutrition in commercial food.

I have read story after story about pets with horrible health problems that are improved or reversed with a change of diet. Several stories have been about cats that are obese and have diabetes. What is the cause? The grains that are in most commercial food. Why are grains used in pet food? Because grains, mostly corn, are cheap ingredients. These grains are damaging the health of our pets. Grains turn to sugar in the body and can wreck havoc on the pancreas and then creates a need for synthetic insulin shots.

Cats are carinvores and do not eat grains in the wild. Cats that are obese and have diabetes, lose weight and their diabetes goes away, when they are put on a high protein, no grain diet!

Be Careful of Anti-freeze

Anti-freeze can be deadly to animals. Don't overlook the anti-freeze that might leak or drip from your automobile. Sometimes when cars overheat, some antifreeze runs out on the ground. Apparently it tastes good, because animals will lick it up. This can cause serious poisoning that often ends in death.

Less toxic, but still harmful are transmission fluids, used oils, even batteries left out on the ground. Store all of these things inside the garage in sealed containers.

If you spill any of these hazardous materials or your car leaks them, don't wash it away. Sprinkle with sawdust, vermiculite or cat litter to absorb it, then sweep it up and put it in a plastic bag to dispose of as hazardous waste.

The Rolled-Up Newspaper Method of Training!

If your puppy potties in the house, chews something he shouldn't or otherwise does something puppyish but not very cute, here's what you do:

*Put your puppy in a safe place.

*Get a good sized newspaper.

*Roll the paper up and hold it securely in your hand.

*Whack yourself in the head three times while repeating, "I will watch the puppy better!"

*Clean up the mess.

*Play with your puppy!

Training is the process of helping your puppy to form new habits --habits you want him to have. He's learning all the time, even when you don't think you're teaching him anything. If you allow him to do something you don't like, he learns he can. If you leave him loose in your house unsupervised before he's ready, he learns that he can chew things and potty in the house.

It's much easier and faster to prevent bad habits and teach good ones than it is to try to fix bad habits once they're formed.

Never, ever hit your puppy with anything - not your hand, a rolled-up newspaper, or anything else. There is no reason to hit your dog and it won't teach him anything you want him to learn. Some dogs respond to being hit with fear and become fearful of people. Some dogs become aggressive and will bite in self-defense. Either way, you will have created an unhappy and potentially dangerous dog.

Safe Ant Killer to Use Around Pets

There are 2 things I use to kill ants that are safe to use around pets and kids.

If there are a few ants that are annoying in the kitchen or on my trash cans, I dilute "Dawn (original) Dishwashing Liquid" in a squirt bottle ( 1 part Dawn to 6 parts water), this kills the ants instantly.

If we are being bombarded from all directions, then I buy Terro, these come in individual trays (6pack) or larger garden baits. The ants go nuts for it. Just sit them out, 1 or more, depending on how many ants you have and hundreds will come to the bait stations. Just let them come. Yes, even in the house. (They are in your walls.) Sometimes it only takes hours, some times a couple of days and you will have no more ants. They take Terro back to their nests or sometimes the ants go in and don't come out.

Pesticide or insecticide sprays and powders are not safe for pets, kids or adults. Always use a safe alternative.