The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : August 2018 The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : August 2018

Friday, August 31, 2018

Here's How to Adopt Dogs That Were "Too Nice" For TSA Training


It might be hard imagining innocent puppies doing anything wrong, but when it comes to service dogs, not all pups are cut out for high demands of the job. There is, however, an adoption program in place for those dogs that just don't have what it takes to work for the government—and sometimes, it's because they are "too nice."

According to the BBC, a canine was switched from the Queensland Dog Squad in Australia to a more suitable role at the Queensland's Government House as the official Vice-Regal dog—all because the pup was too nice and social. There are a few ways for Americans to adopt similar training dogs as well. The main way is through the TSA Canine Training Center Adoption Program, where you can adopt a pup without paying a fee. According to the TSA, these pups are untrained and aren't housebroken, which means you'll need these expert tips on crate training your puppy.

To read more on this story, click here: Here's How to Adopt Dogs That Were "Too Nice" For TSA Training


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Would You Give Up Your Dog to a New Home if He Bit Your Child?


Rehoming my Pug was a hard decision, but the right one; finding the right family was a struggle.

He moved so fast that I saw the gash on her eye before I even realized what had happened. My Pug had bitten my daughter, again.

Moments earlier I had been sitting on the couch, seven months pregnant, watching my dog chewing on a bone at one end of the carpet and my daughter playing with her tea set on the other side.Wow, I thought. What a nice, quiet evening.

Suddenly the toy teapot made a whistling noise and before I knew it my Pug had leapt up from his resting place, run across the carpet, and bit her on the face.

She cried, I cried, and in that moment I knew: It was time.

Our dog was the first baby of my husband and I. Adopted while we were still dating, he quickly became the fur kid at the center of our relationship. I was that momma who put a coat on him in the winter, dressed him up for Halloween, and even tucked him into his little bed at night. I attended Pug party events, threw him a birthday party, volunteered at a Pug rescue, and took great pride in this fur child of ours.

I loved him with all my heart, yet now my fur baby was injuring my human baby — for the third time.

To read more on this story, click here: Would You Give Up Your Dog to a New Home if He Bit Your Child?

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Drunken Veterinary Technician Gives His Sick Girlfriend a Drug Prescribed for Her Dog


A Florida Veterinary Technician has been arrested and charged with practicing medicine without a license after he allegedly gave his sick girlfriend a drug meant for her dog.

Cedrik Claude Merlet, 40, from Bradenton, was taken into custody Tuesday in connection to an incident that took place back in February.

According to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Mr Merlet, a Veterinary Emergency Technician at a Bradenton clinic, hooked up his girlfriend to an IV during what he believed was an asthma attack.

Sheriff's deputies responded to Merlet's home in Bradenton just after midnight February 1 after receiving a report about a domestic incident.

The officers noted that the 40-year-old man smelled of alcohol and had slightly glassy and bloodshot eyes, according to Miami Herald.

Merlet, a French national, told the deputies that his girlfriend got extremely drunk during an alcohol-fueled party and began throwing up.

Merlet, who had worked as a paramedic in New Jersey before moving to Florida in 2006, apparently came to the conclusion that the woman was having an acute asthma attack.

In an effort to help her, the veterinary technician injected saline into his girlfriend, according to officials.

Merlet admitted to the deputies that he administered 2 milligrams of dexamethasone sodium phosphate, which was left over from a prescription for the girlfriend’s dog.

The drug is a corticosteroid used to treat a wide variety of inflammatory conditions in cats and dogs, as well as certain cancers and Addison’s disease.

A version of the drug can also be prescribed to human patients suffering from severe allergic reactions, arthritis, blood disease, internal, eye and skin disorders, as well as breathing problems.

Merlet's girlfriend, who is not being named, has told sheriff's investigators she only vaguely remembered being injected with something.

According to deputies, Mr Merlet did not seek medical help for his girlfriend and failed to mention that he injected her with a corticosteroid when he called 911 to report a domestic incident.

Merlet, who has a young son, was arrested Tuesday morning and taken to Manatee County Jail. He was released the same day without a bond.

According to his profile on the website of his employer, Veterinary Emergency Center in Bradenton, Merlet is a native of France, where he served in the military and graduated from college with a bachelor’s' degree in biology before emigrating to the US.

After settling in NJ, Merlet worked as a rescue diver paramedic and the as a first responder for the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.


For man and beast: Dexamethasone sodium phosphate can be prescribed to human patients suffering from severe allergic reactions, arthritis, blood disease, internal, eye and skin disorders.

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Dog Circus Educates Japanese Youngsters on the Responsibilities of Pet Ownership


Tokyo, Japan - Japanese elementary school children enjoyed a dynamic performance by a troupe of 'unwanted dogs' on Wednesday when the Wow Wow Dog Circus came through town with the aim of educating youngsters on the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Jumping rope, balancing on balls and crossing narrow balance beams the furry friends brought smiles and laughter to the students of the local public school located in Tachikawa city on the outskirts of the greater Tokyo metropolitan area.

Beginning with a short 10 minute speech about dog shelters and statistics on the numbers of canines abandoned each year in Japan, organizers provided the young attendants with both education and entertainment.

Impressed by what he learned one 6th grader said he didn't approve of people who abandoned their pets.

"I really felt those people that abandon their dogs and don't take responsibility for them, that's not a good thing," 12-year-old Tokutaro Takahashi said.

His classmate, Keito Aoki who also had a chance to jump rope on stage with man's best friend agreed.

"For me it is unforgivable! From the moment you buy one, until it dies, that is our obligation," Aoki said.

The Wow Wow Dog Circus aims to educate young people about the responsibilities of pet ownership and encourage them both as children and later as adults to adopt animals from shelters in preference to buying them from pet shops.

"To understand the value of life, while they are still kids, to let them know what the situation in Japan is in the hope that they will pass on what they learned to others. That is the main focus of the program," said dog trainer Kayo Takeda.

In contrast to some other nations the concept of 'doggie adoption' or animal rescue is still relatively unknown in Japan. Most pet owners purchase animals from local pet shops or kennels.

"Compared to a country like Germany the number (of adoptions) is way too low, more and more we need to use the system (for adopting abandoned dogs).

The sales at pets shops are very high (in Japan), but overseas the thinking to adopt a dog is much more prevalent. I'd like to hope that Japan will move forward in that direction," Takeda told Reuters.

In Japan 100,000 dogs are abandoned and destroyed every year.



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What Not to Do When Visiting Someone Who Has Dogs


Maybe it’s the hair, the attention the animal seeks, or the barking when someone knocks on the door. Maybe your dog is a working dog, not a pet, and others judge the way you treat them. The truth is that not everyone is a dog lover, and not everyone who has dogs raises them in the same way. Other than extreme situations of abuse or neglect, there are just some things you don’t do when you are visiting someone who has a dog.

Punish Them
Just like it’s never a good idea to punish someone else’s child, it’s never a good idea to punish someone else’s dog. However, there are always extenuating circumstances. For instance, if a dog is running into a street, it’s okay to call after it to keep it safe. Other than those types of dangerous situations, it’s important not to overstep your boundaries by punishing someone else’s dog. You might not know the rules, you might be stepping on the owner’s toes, or you may be confusing the dog. Unless safety is a concern, or you have been tasked with puppy sitting, you shouldn’t go into someone’s home and punish their animals.

Feed Them Scraps
Some dogs have sensitive tummies. Whereas some dogs can eat scraps all day, some dogs have one scrap and spend the next day with diarrhea. For that reason, it’s important not to sneak scraps to any dog you are visiting unless the dog’s owner tells you it’s okay. Not only that, but some scraps are not good for dogs. There are plenty of foods that can be fatal to dogs, so it’s best not to chance feeding them something that can hurt them.

To read more on this story, click here: What Not to Do When Visiting Someone Who Has Dogs


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Robotic Squirrel Survives Sequester - Project Government Funded


While many government projects and programs are facing steep cuts due to the sequester, the National Science Foundation's animatronic squirrel remains fully funded. Jen Markham takes a look at the robotic rodent and explains its uses.





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Puppy in Boston Police Department Bulletproof Vest Melts Internet


A photo of a budding member of the Boston Police Department’s K-9 force sent a shockwave of ‘awws’ across the Internet Monday.

The photo, which was posted to Reddit, is from Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog, a non-profit that helps provide bulletproof vests, essential equipment, training, and purchase of dogs for police and law enforcement K-9 programs throughout the state.


“As K-9s are trained to give up their lives to protect their partners and all of us, we believe it is every bit as important to protect them,” according to www.mavestadog.org.


Boston Magazine reported that the German Shepherd puppy’s name is Tuco, named for the volatile “Breaking Bad” character named Tuco Salamanca.



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A Dog's Last Will and Testament



I did not write this poem, I am sharing. I must warn you that tissues are a requirement.







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Dog Owner Cuddles His 19 Year Old Dog in Lake Superior to Help with Arthritis Pain



It’s an image that’s hard to look at without smiling.

A dog sleeps in blissful repose, head rested against the neck and shoulder of a ponytailed man standing shoulder-deep in water. The man appears in profile, and he wears dark glasses, but his eyes seem to be closed. The smile on his face matches the dog’s contentment.

The photo has drawn the attention of thousands of people since being posted on Facebook last week. The story behind the photo is touching.

Professional photographer Hannah Stonehouse Hudson took it off Bayfield’s Reiten Beach in Lake Superior on Tuesday. The man is her friend John Unger. The dog, an aging, arthritic shepherd mix, is named Schoep, after a brand of ice cream that’s popular in southern Wisconsin (the dog likes vanilla).

Unger and his then-fianceé found the dog 18 years ago at a humane society in Ozaukee County, Wis., when it was an 8-month-old puppy.

“We knew we wanted to work with an animal who was abused,” Unger said. “I just had a vision of working with an animal to bring out his full potential.”

Testing suggested that the dog had been beaten by a male, and it took Unger another eight months to fully earn his trust.

The relationship with his fianceé didn’t work out. They shared custody of Schoep for a while, but he has been Unger’s full time since his former fianceé moved to Colorado 13 or 14 years ago.

But the breakup with his fianceé caused Unger to enter a depression. One night, he said, he went to a breakwater in Lake Michigan off Milwaukee with thoughts of suicide.

“To be honest with you, I don’t think I’d be here if I didn’t have Schoep with me (that night). He just snapped me out of it. I don’t know how to explain it. He just snapped me out of it. … I just want to do whatever I can for this dog because he basically saved my ass.”

Unger has no other pets, but he said that while growing up he dreamed of having a house full of dogs. Like him, Hudson is a dog-lover. Self-employed as StonehousePhoto, she includes dogs in much of her work. “My dream … is to only take photos with dogs in them,” she said in a telephone interview on Friday.

It’s the right community for people who love dogs, Hudson said.

“Bayfield is a dog town,” she said. “We all love dogs. A lot of us have them, and basically we keep track of each other and our dogs.”

She hadn’t seen Unger for a couple of months and thought his dog might have died. But last week, Unger approached her with a request. “He said it’s been so warm in the lake I’ve been able to take Schoep into the water,” Hudson related. “He’s so relaxed he just falls right asleep.”

Unger, who found his way to Bayfield about six years ago, had a photo of himself with his dog in mind for several years. But that mission took on added urgency last week he said. Noticing Schoep limping, Unger took his dog to a veterinarian in Ashland. The vet prescribed pain-relief medication, but Unger doesn’t yet know how effective it will be. If Schoep isn’t able to get up without pain, it will be time to put him down, Unger said.

Unger stopped the conversation to regain his composure.

“What was going through my mind when Hannah was taking those pictures was that this may be the last time I’m going to be swimming with him,” Unger said.

When Hudson got to the beach on Tuesday, Unger and Schoep already had been in the water for about 10 minutes, so she only had about five minutes to take the photos. She didn’t know the results until she looked at them on her computer later on Tuesday, and she didn’t have time to post them to her Facebook page until Wednesday evening.

It didn’t take long for the image to go viral.

“About six hours later I was in complete awe that it had been shared, I think it was, 200 times,” Hudson said.

But that was barely the beginning. By Sunday evening, the photo had been shared 86,000 times, “liked” 150,000 times and viewed in excess of 1.8 million times. The more-than-17,000 Facebook comments on the photo include words such as “touching,” “tender,” “loving,” “breathtaking” and “precious.”

Hudson, 34, who didn’t charge Unger and doesn’t expect to make any money from the photo, accomplished what she set out to do. “A lot of the time if I find an interesting, cool story that’s positive about animals, I’ll just do it,” she said.

Unger, 49, works as a caretaker on the farm where he lives outside of Bayfield. He got his first computer in February and admits to being befuddled by the Internet. He has seen the responses to Hudson’s photo, but isn’t quite sure how to respond.

“He is not really keyed in to the Internet world,” Hudson said. “That’s what makes this all even more fun. Because I think he’s getting e-mails from women asking if he’s single.”

Unger — who is single — said the overtures haven’t been quite so blatant as that, but he has picked up hints of interest from some women online.

Which is fine, Unger said.

“Boy, is it tough to meet women up here,” he said, laughing. “So this might open up a new road.”

The photo of Unger and Schoep is the second photo taken by Hudson to cause a sensation since she started her business in 2005. The first was of a bear crossing the ice on the lake in front of the Madeline Island ferry. “I tend to be in amazing spots at the oddest times,” she said. “It’s Lake Superior, and weird stuff happens.”

Hudson’s husband, Jim, 34, also works on his own. A former police officer, he left the force 10 years ago to be a full-time fisherman. “We call it breathing into the bag of self-employment,” Hudson said. “But he’s having fun and we can do it and make a living and stay in Bayfield, which is very important to us.”

Hudson is having fun in her work, too, especially when dogs are involved.

“I have a blast,” she said. “I can’t believe I get to do this.”


         Arthritis Dog Photo Goes Viral: John Unger and his Dog, Schoep Share Tender Moments







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What to Do if Your Dog Ate Chocolate


If your dog ate chocolate, we'll tell you what can happen, and when to call your vet. Take a look at this video.





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Thursday, August 30, 2018

Did You Know that Fleas and Ticks Are a Year Round Threat for Your Pet?


Hadley, Massachusetts - It’s important for pet owners to protect our dogs and cats from fleas and ticks which run rampant in the warmer months. But cold weather doesn’t necessarily mean the end of these pet-pestering parasites.

Dr. Ted Diamond of Valley Veterinary Hospital explained that fleas can be a threat year round.

“They can live all winter long on dogs and cats outside. Then when they come in the house they drop all their eggs and larvae around your house. So fleas can frequently be found in winter because they are left over from the fall,” Dr. Diamond said.

Ticks can be even a bigger problem. They don’t die off during the winter, but rather they hibernate.

“When it’s very cold they go into a hibernation, they’re not very active. They are not going to be attaching to your pets. But at the first increase in temperature like yesterday, they immediately come out of their coma and the first dog that comes by they will attach to,” says Dr. Diamond.

And according to Dr. Diamond your pets lifestyle can also play a role in how susceptible they are to fleas and ticks.

Dogs who are active and run in the woods, socialize at dog parks or doggie day care, even those that share their home with a cat are more prone to picking up parasites like fleas and ticks.

Dogs that are couch potatoes, aren’t out much and aren’t socialized are less likely to pick up the insects.

Dr. Diamond says that the best way to keep your pets protected is to keep them on a year round flea and tick preventative medication. He adds that over the last few years these medications have become less toxic and more effective, making them safer for you and your pet as long as they are used as your Valley Veterinary Hospital recommends.

For more information on ticks, please visit: TickEncounter Resource Center - Frequently Asked Questions: Seasonal Information

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5 Big Reasons You Should Definitely Let Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed


A recent study by the National Institutes of Health, called Are Pets in the Bedroom a Problem?, came to a surprising conclusion: most people who share their beds with pets experience more benefits than drawbacks from the practice.

If you don’t suffer from allergies or a compromised immune system, the two major drawbacks to sharing a bed with your dog are hygiene and sleep disruption.

As long as you can tolerate the smell and hair, and your dog doesn’t wake you up with noise or movement, then co-sleeping with your dog is a win/win.

Sharing a bed with your dog is relaxing and comfortable, and science backs this up. Oh, and it’s good for your dog, too—which is one more reason we love in-home pet sitting (you don’t have to sacrifice the cozy factor!).

The rhythmic sound of your dog’s gentle snoring, breathing, and heartbeat can lower your heart rate. Research backs this up, in fact.

A lowered heart rate is generally correlated with less stress and more relaxation. In other words: better sleep!

To read more on this story, click here: 5 Big Reasons You Should Definitely Let Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed


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Top Performing Dog Car Harness – Designed to Safely Transport Pets


If you are transporting your dog in your car, his or her safety needs to be one of the first things you consider. The best dog car harness and seat belts are those that will keep your dog safe, no matter what life throws at you.

Even if you are in an accident, a dog harness for the car should keep your dog in place.

When used properly and correctly, you don’t have to fear taking your dog on long distance road trips or onto the highways. In fact, it can calm both you and your dog.

Even more importantly, however, you need to consider how much safer a dog harness or dog seat belt will make you. Essentially, they tether your dog to the car, making it impossible for him or her to run around and wreak havoc on your car.

Keeping your dog in place means that
  • Your children will be safe
  • Your passengers won’t be distracted
  • You can put all of your focus on the road in front of you
The best dog harnesses have passed all of the tests and reviews in both fronts: keeping the inside of your car safe and keeping your dog safe at the same time.

They are comfortable enough that the dog won’t mind being in one, made of materials that won’t irritate your dog’s skin or catch on his hair. However, they are also strong, able to withstand the pulling and torque of a dog who wants to break free.

To read more on this story, click here: Top Performing Dog Car Harness – Designed to Safely Transport Pets


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Chinese Man Spends $400K to Purchase Dog Slaughterhouse and Set Up Shelter


When Wang Yan lost his dog in 2012, he searched everywhere – even a slaughterhouse – to find his furry friend.

Once he saw what was happening within the building’s walls, however, knew he had to take action and he build a shelter…

There are a number of people choosing to use their wealth for a good purpose.

For example, Johnny Depp intends to purchase the site of Wounded Knee Massacre and gift it back to the Native American people, and a 95-year-old Jewish Holocaust survivor is funding the rescue of 2,000 Middle-Eastern Christians.

Such stories give one hope in humanity, and this latest news is no different.

To read more on this story, click here: Chinese Man Spends $400K to Purchase Dog Slaughterhouse and Set Up Shelter

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PETA Plasters Anti-Crab-Eating Billboards in Baltimore


BALTIMORE —Crabs are friends, not food. That's what billboards near the Baltimore Inner Harbor are saying in an attempt to get people to go vegan.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has plastered billboards near seafood restaurants in Baltimore as part of a nationwide campaign to get seafood off people's plates.

The billboard displays a colorful blue crab and says, "I'm ME, Not MEAT. See the Individual. Go Vegan."

The posters are located near seafood restaurants such as Phillips Seafood, Mo's Fisherman's Wharf, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks, The Oceanaire Seafood Room and Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

One billboard sits atop Silver Moon II in downtown Baltimore.

"Whatever they say, 'Go vegan,' whatever, nothing is going to work," said Nick Lentis, owner of Silver Moon II.

"Vegan is for vegan. Do what you have to do. Eat what you have to eat. Don't press the people to go do that, so leave the people alone., Lentis said.

To read more on this story, click here: PETA Plasters Anti-Crab-Eating Billboards in Baltimore

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Wednesday, August 29, 2018

What You Should Know About Online Pet Medication Scams


What you don’t know about the Internet could make your dog sick and you broke.

Last year, Americans spent nearly $56 billion on their pets — an all-time high — and are expected to spend $60 billion this year . Plenty of that went to veterinary care, which includes prescription medication, as well as over-the-counter meds. In aggregate, Americans spend more than $14 billion a year at the vet and more than $13 billion on supplies and over-the-counter medication. This means that some pet owners must shell out hundreds, even thousands, for medications for their pets each year.

Thanks in part to these high costs, more pet owners are turning online for their pet’s medication. “Consumers realize that pets often require medicine that is absurdly expensive when compared to the human drug equivalent, because of the veterinary markup over wholesale and dispensing fees charged at many vet offices,” says Laura Nativo, pet expert from Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” show. “With the growing number of Internet pharmacies, savvy pet parents realize that shopping online can amount to lower prices, added convenience.”

But that convenience and cost savings can come with a serious downside: the risk of scams. SiteJabber , a website where customers can review online businesses, has seen a 60% year-over-year increase in the number of consumer complaints over businesses selling pet medications online. “It’s one of the fastest-growing areas of complaints on the site,” says Jeremy Gin, the founder of SiteJabber.

SiteJabber analyzed more than 1,000 consumer complaints about online pet medication companies to determine the most-complained about issues. Here are three.

1. Automatic shipments that won’t stop (and you keep paying for)
More than 15% of the customer complaints about online pet medication businesses involved auto-shipments, according to the SiteJabber analysis. Here’s what often happens: A pet owner sets up an auto-shipment of certain medications because her pet has a recurring condition that needs regular medication. But when she tries to cancel the auto-shipments, she finds it nearly impossible to do so — and keeps getting charged for medications she no longer needs.

What consumers can do: Gin recommends that right after consumers call the pet med company to cancel auto-payment of their medications, they also call their credit card company to let them know that they should not authorize any more automatic payments from that company.

2. Shipments that take forever — or never come
One in five pet owners who bought pet medication online complained about pet medication shipments that took far longer than promised or never even came, the SiteJabber data revealed. This may be a particularly acute problem if you order from a company based abroad, as customs may be an issue, he says.

Not only is this annoying, but it can be harmful to your pet’s health if they aren’t getting the medication they need.

What consumers can do: Have a backup pharmacy in town that you know will have the medication (call to make sure they have it in stock) — even if it will cost more, says Gin. That’s because even if you call the company to confirm the delivery date of your medication — or even if they have a guaranteed delivery date — the company may still not get it to you on time. To try to get your money back if they don’t deliver when promised, request it both in writing and verbally; that may not work though, in which case, you may have to go through your credit card company, says Gin.

3. Fake pharmacies that send fake medications
“Many online pharmacies are not safe,” says Amber Anderson, a veterinarian based in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; and indeed, of the 420 online pet pharmacies reviewed on SiteJabber, more than one in three were identified as non-legitimate pharmacies, meaning that they likely violated laws or regulations around the sale of drugs. These pharmacies may give you medication that isn’t what you asked for (and thus does not help your pet), sugar pills or other fake pills, diluted versions of the medication, medication with additives that may be bad for your pet, and more.

What consumers can do: Consumers need to verify that the pharmacy they are using is legitimate, and because there are so many that aren’t, this isn’t an easy process. The FDA recommends that you only order from a website that is designated Vet-VIPPS, which stands for the Veterinary-Verified
Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites; this is given by the National Association of

Boards of Pharmacy to online pet med pharmacies who comply with NABP’s criteria, including licensing and inspection requirements, quality and validity of prescription orders. Gin says that you should make sure the site is verified by LegitScripts.com, and Nativo recommends looking at online TopConsumerReviews.com as well as searching for the company online and through social media to see what other customers are saying.

Steve McFarland, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Los Angeles and Silicon Valley, says that you should also ask your vet how to get less expensive medication that is safe or ask friends for referrals. And Nativo says she likes sites like PetCareRx.com , DrsFosterSmith.com and even Costco.com .

Finally, “many online pharmacies touting too-good-to-be true advertising such as ‘Discount pet drugs! No RX required!’ are not regulated, but may seem legitimate, which causes unfair confusion for consumers,” says Nativo. “Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is — and saving money is not worth potentially short changing your pet’s wellness.”


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Red Tide Killing Marine Life In Florida


Sarasota, Fla. — The worst outbreak in years of toxic algae -- also known as red tide -- is killing thousands of sea creatures in Southwest Florida.

Red tide occurs naturally each year from Sarasota to Marco Island. It typically lasts about six months, but this year’s season is in its ninth month.

To read more on this story, click here: Red Tide Killing Marine Life In Florida







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Real Men are Kind to Animals


Real Men are Kind to Animals is a non-profit organization. While they don’t describe on their facebook page what they actually do…the pictures below speak volumes!

You can “Like” their face book page at: Real Men are Kind to Animals 






                            Arlington officers praised for pacifying ‘aggressive’ dog


                                        Wichita PD rescues dog from highway!




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Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Obesity In Cats - Is Your Cat Overweight?


Sometimes you will hear people say, "He’s just a little chubby," or "He really doesn’t eat that much … and besides, he’s cute!" Yes, he is a cutie, but is he overweight?

We sit down to eat ... and there they are those big cute begging eyes! I am sure you may think a little bit of this and a little bit of that won’t hurt him. But do you really know what table food does to your cat? Combining table food, treats and lack of exercise are all factors in making your cat fat, which can cause health problems.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says obesity is an extremely common problem in pets and, as with humans, can be detrimental to the health of a cat. The overweight pet has many added stresses upon his body and is at an increased risk of diabetes, liver problems and joint pain.  You can read their views on Overweight Cats.

Cats and Carbohydrates
Did you know that cats, unlike most mammals, do not have a carbohydrate-digesting enzyme called amylase in their saliva? Humans and dogs do, and begin the digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth. In our intestines, amylase secreted from the pancreas breaks down large carbohydrate molecules into absorbable smaller units of glucose.

Cats generally have less amylase activity than humans or dogs. For this reason it is very important that you do not give your cat certain human foods! Cats need the nutrients specifically provided for them in good, premium cat foods, and any "extras" that they consume will take away their appetites for their regular meals.







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Pit Bulls – Do They Make Good Pets?


Pit bull is a term commonly used to describe several breeds of dog in the molosser breed group. Most jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls, use the term "pit bull" to refer to the modern American Pit Bull Terrier, American  Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any other dog that has the substantial physical characteristics and appearance of those breeds.

Media hysteria and bad owners have greatly damaged this breed, and every incident involving a pit bull makes it worse for the entire breed and their owners, often prompting breed specific legislation or breed bans.

The pit bull is typically a people loving, intelligent and fun breed. Due to their affinity with people, this breed is a good candidate for rescue and adoption, but potential homes need to be carefully screened to insure that the new owners understand and accept the responsibility of owning a pit bull.  This is not a breed for everyone! The only way to repair the pit bull's bad reputation is to keep them in the hands of responsible owners.

Animal shelters in the United States euthanized approximately 1.7 million dogs in 2008; approximately 980,000, or 58 percent of these were assessed to have been pit bull-type dogs.






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Do Dogs Cry?


We know our dogs have feelings, and we’ve all caught our pet looking particularly forlorn, wearing a plaintive stare and glassy eyes. What else to think, but our dog is crying! Is she really, though? Do dogs cry like we do?

While dogs can feel sadness and grief, they don’t actually cry in the same way humans do. In other words, their sad feelings don’t prompt a flow of tears. Humans, in fact, are the only animals on the planet to shed tears as a result of their emotional state.

But we can unpack this larger question into several others. Can dogs shed tears at all? Do dogs cry in some other way? And if they can’t cry, are we imagining other dog emotions?

Do Dogs Cry? Not if Their Eyes Are Healthy

Dogs do have tear ducts, of course. These function to keep the eyes comfortable and clear of debris, and they drain back into the nasal cavity rather than dripping from the eye. This means something may be amiss if your dog is leaking tears. In dogs, tears could be caused by:

To read more on this story, click here: Do Dogs Cry?

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Vision Loss in Senior Dogs — Symptoms and Management


Just as our eyesight can become impaired as we age, dogs can also suffer from vision loss as they enter their senior years. However, unlike humans, dogs do not rely on vision as their most important sense. Their noses and ears allow them to adapt quite well to changes in their eyesight. Here are the signs of potential vision impairment and some steps you can take to help your senior dog cope with any loss of sight.

Vision Loss: Causes and Symptoms
There are many causes of vision loss in older dogs, including glaucoma and macular degeneration.

One of the more probable causes is a cataract, when the lens of the eye is clouded over. A cataract will appear as a hazy, opaque white growth over the eye and often goes hand-in-hand with other illnesses, such as diabetes.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) can cause a multitude of ocular problems, such as retinal detachment, which could lead to blindness. Untreated infections, chronic dry eye, and tumors or cancer can also cause blindness. It’s vital for your elderly dog to have regular visits (at least every 6-to-9 months) with his veterinarian, as the sooner the condition is detected and diagnosed, the better the possible outcome.

Signs that your dog is losing his eyesight can be quite obvious. He might bump into walls or furniture or have trouble locating his food or toys. He might stop making eye contact with you. The signs can also be subtler, such as being reluctant to jump on or off the couch, a new level of anxiety, or becoming clingy. Your dog may even begin to show aggression because his vision loss may leave him feeling vulnerable and more inclined to act offensively in an attempt to keep himself safe.

To read more on this story, click here: Vision Loss in Senior Dogs — Symptoms and Management

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Weird New Trend Puts Live Ants Inside Nail Tips


Bizarre beauty trends are hardly a new thing - we've seen everything from nose hair extensions to 'halo eyebrows' and let's not forget some women's ongoing obsessions with developing a deep fake tan - that makes them look like a 'mahogany table', apparently.

Although they make look a little bit silly, until now they've pretty much been harmless. I mean, yeah, going green overnight might not be your cup of tea, but each to their own and all that.

However, one new nail 'trend' has got people seriously pissed off, with many branding it 'cruel' and 'disgusting' for its use of live ants entombed inside some acrylic to create a bit of nail art.

The weird design was shared online by Nail Sunny in Moscow, and showed the ants being placed inside hollow, clear acrylic nail tips. Despite the post stating that no ants were harmed in the making of the nails, the whole thing was quickly slammed by Instagram users.

One wrote: "This is absolutely disgusting, you should be ashamed of yourself. Any nail technicians I know would NEVER dream of doing anything as ridiculous as this. The poor ants suffer for no reason, the nails look horrid!"

To read more on this story, click here: Weird New Trend Puts Live Ants Inside Nail Tips

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Monday, August 27, 2018

NYPD Police Precinct’s Mascot, A Tabby Cat Named Martin, Was Killed By Car


The adorable orphaned tabby cat that served as mascot and morale booster for cops at Coney Island’s 60th Precinct was struck by a car and killed, cops said Monday. He was 2 years old.

“Sad to announce our Precinct cat Martin has passed away. He was hit by a car and later died due to his injuries. He will truly be missed by all in the command. RIP Marty,” Deputy Inspector Joseph Hayward wrote on Twitter.

A DCPI spokeswoman told the Post the cat was discovered to have been hit by a car on Saturday morning, after he was “heard meowing in distress outside of the precinct back door.” Police did not know how or where Marty was struck. He was taken to a local animal clinic, where he died.

The lovable feline was dropped off by a woman at the station house on West Eighth Street and Surf Avenue in late 2016.

Cops lobbied for the cat to become a permanent resident. He soon softened the hearts of even the toughest officers — snuggling with them and munching on scraps of turkey.

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How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog? Groomers Weigh In


For a lot of new dog owners, it can be difficult to determine how often you should wash your dog. The truth is, the answer depends on a lot of things.

“How frequently a pet needs a bath greatly varies based upon their breed, lifestyle, length of coat, and how much homework a pet owner is willing to do,” says Beth Cristiano, owner of Pretty Paws LLC, headquartered in Harrison, N.Y.

The type of coat your dog has is a big factor in how often he requires baths. However, it’s not as simple as the shorter the hair, the less bathing required. Hairless breeds, such as the Chinese Crested and the Xoloitzcuintli, are actually quite care intensive, according to Cristiano, who says these breeds require weekly baths.

At the other end of the spectrum are the long-coated breeds, such as the Maltese and the Collie. “Obviously, the more hair a dog has, the more work is involved, including the frequency of the bath,” says Jorge Bendersky, a celebrity dog groomer, pet expert, and best-selling author of “DIY Dog Grooming, From Puppy Cuts to Best in Show: Everything You Need to Know.” He adds, “For dogs with medium-to-large coats, a bath could be needed from weekly to every 4-to-6 weeks, as long as the coat is properly maintained in-between baths.”

To read more on this story, click here: How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog? Groomers Weigh In

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