The Pet Tree House - New E-Book Oodles & Noodles - Available now on Amazon.com

Please check-out my new e-book "Oodles & Noodles" on Amazon:


Oodles & Noodles is a heartwarming story about a cat, named Oodles and a dog, named Noodles, who were both lost, but quickly became friends.  Follow them as they overcome obstacles living in the street as homeless animals and finally return home to their families. Oodles & Noodles will make you laugh and cry happy tears!

This story is great for all ages from children to adults. If you love animals...you will love Oodles & Noodles!

Click on the link to be taken to Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/Oodles-Noodles-ebook/dp/B00E3LZTQM/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1374682760&sr=8-34&keywords=oodles+%26+Noodles

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Squirrel Eating Car - Terrorizing a South Florida Family

A Florida family living in fear that they were being targeted by vandals discovered that the culprit has quite an appetite for destruction. The culprit? A squirrel.

A crazy car-eating squirrel with an appetite for destruction has been terrorizing a south Florida family.

The hungry critter, dubbed Munchy, has been biting fist-sized chunks of metal out of Nora Ziegler's SUV.

It's already ripped two 6-inch panels out of her Toyota Sequoia and seems intent on eating more.

But, bizarrely, he's left the four other cars that line the Martin County family's driveway untouched.

Ziegler told WPTV that she initially thought her vehicle was being targeted by vandals.
Cops were stumped and told her to remain vigilant, speculating that "someone was coming after her."

But she soon busted the culprit red-handed as she put out the trash one night.
Ziegler said she couldn't believe her eyes as she watched the squirrel, which was hanging by its teeth and gnawing away at the metal.

Relieved that she wasn't being targeted by hoodlums, she's now deciding what to do about the rampaging rodent.

"I'm not happy to see my car like this, but at least I didn't have any enemies, at least not people," Ziegler told WPTV.

Wildlife expert Hugh Curran, of Absolute Critter Removal, was however less shocked about the squirrel's choice of food.

"If they're looking to make a nest, chewing for them to find a cavity, to make a nest, that's not unusual at all," said Curran.

Video:

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Washington DC - Washington Humane Society - Poisoned Pill Pockets Unfounded

Washington, DC –On Thursday, June 27, 2013 the Washington Humane Society (WHS) was alerted to the claim that someone was alleged to be leaving poisoned dog treats in the Logan Circle area of Washington, DC.

“After a thorough investigation by our Humane Law Enforcement division, we cannot substantiate the claim that there is anyone out there intentionally attempting to harm pets,” Scott Giacoppo, WHS VP of External Affairs reports, adding, “Our investigation has revealed that one dog has been reported sick from the consumption of an unknown toxin. After a thorough investigation, which included outreach to every veterinary clinic in the District, we have received no evidence to indicate that this was intentional, happened in a public space or that there may be a threat to animal safety.”

Humane Law Enforcement Officers have been in contact with the owner of the dog who has gotten sick. Based on his limited cooperation, and the lack of direct evidence to support the claim, WHS has decided to close the investigation. Humane Law Enforcement will re-open the case if and when additional evidence is discovered.

WHS maintains that pet owners should always be cautious of potentially hazardous materials when walking pets in public areas. Dr. Megan McAndrew, WHS Medical Director, advises that you bring your pet to a veterinarian immediately if you notice signs of nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, rapid or difficult breathing, or pale, dark or blue gums within 12 hours after your pet may have eaten an unknown substance.

(These are a malleable beef flavored treats that one uses to envelope medicine for dogs and cats)

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Police in Bangkok Arrest Thai Pet Shop Owner After Finding Hundreds of Protected Animals in a Warehouse

Bangkok - A pet shop owner was arrested after Thai police found hundreds of protected animals, including rare lions, in his warehouse near Bangkok, authorities said Monday.

Police Col. Ek Ekasart said police found 14 albino lions from Africa, hundreds of birds, meerkats, tortoises, peafowls, capuchin monkeys and other species from overseas and Thailand.

They said Montri Boonprom-on, 41, faces charges of possessing wildlife and carcasses and could face up to four years in jail and a fine of 40,000 baht ($1,300).
Ek said Montri owns an exotic pet shop at Bangkok's renowned Chatuchak weekend market and was previously convicted of wildlife trade.

Thailand is a hub of the international black market in protected animals. While the country is a member of a convention regulating international trade in endangered species, Thai law does not extend protection to many alien species.

Police also found a hornbill and a leopard, both protected by Thai law, which were packed in a box and were scheduled to be delivered to clients on Monday.

"We have been monitoring the location for a few days after the neighbors complained about the noise from the animals," Ek told reporters during the raid in a residential area of Bangkok's Klong Sam Wa district. "And if you looked through the gate, you could spot lions in the cage."

Montri told reporters the lions were shipped legally to Bangkok from Africa and were waiting to be moved to a zoo in Thailand's northeast. He did not explain why only 14 lions remained at his warehouse, while the documents showed he had imported 16.
The animals were confiscated and will be under the care of the Department of Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

A Thai man spays water to clean the lion's enclosure after a raid at a zoo-like house on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand Monday, June 10, 2013. Thai police and forestry officials searched and seized a number of imported and endangered animals including 14 lions from Africa and arrested the house's owner. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

Lions rest inside an enclosure after a raid at a zoo-like house on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand Monday, June 10, 2013. Thai police and forestry officials searched and seized a number of imported and endangered animals including 14 lions from Africa and arrested the house's owner. (AP Photos/Apichart Weerawong)

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Rusty the Pug - My First E-book - Available Now on Amazon Kindle

Checkout My new E-book - It is available now on Amazon! "Rusty the Pug" is a fictional story about a little girl name Natasha, and her pug, Rusty. When Rusty gets hit by a car and killed, Natasha feels that it is her fault. Her parents seek professional help for her. But it isn't until after the family relocates to Petland, South Carolina, and she meets and elderly woman who experienced the same tragedy as a child, that Natasha finally accepts Rusty's death and is given the chance to give a forever home to another homeless animal. This story has a happy ending.

You can purchase it here: (Copy link and put in your browser) http://www.amazon.com/kindle/dp/B00CUXAJYW/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_eos_detail



You can download the Kindle app. to read it on the computer.  (Copy link and put in your browser) 
http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_download_and_read_an_ebook.html

Please Share, and thank you!

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Do You Know What to Do if a Dog Attacks You While Running?

Dogs and runners have a love/hate relationship. As a runner, we are invading their turf, putting their owners in danger, moving fast enough to look interesting and tasty, or just have some bright colors on that makes the dog think that we are a toy.

There are a lot of reasons for a dog to chase us, and for the most part they are valid reasons. Sometimes the dog just wants to play with us, or to come over and say hi, and sometimes the dog wants to hunt and maim us.

Whether you run in the park or around town, chances are you've come across a dog or two during your miles. And while some are friendly, leashed, and only want to play with you, others can cause panic as you wonder if you're going to be attacked.

Unfortunately stories of runners being confronted by dogs are becoming more common as irresponsible owners dump their unwanted pets or improperly restrain them. But you don't need to stop your workout to stay safe.

Roo Yori, a dog trainer who specializes in pit bull rehabilitation and the proud owner of the famous and beloved therapy pit bulls Wallace and Hector, offers advice on how to deal with an unknown or aggressive dog.

Don't Run:
Tough advice for a runner, but Roo explains that while your natural instinct may be to flee, you need to fight that. "Unless you know for sure you can get behind a barrier of some sort that will separate you from the dog, running away or screaming is most likely going to make the situation worse. Chances are, you're not going to out-run a dog, and the act of running will probably activate the chase instinct present in all dogs."

Freeze: 
Most of the time, the best thing is become motionless, Roo says. So think of making your body like a post and fold your arms across your chest. "If you're boring and don't engage the dog, it will most likely sniff your leg and move on," Roo says. "Wait until the dog is a good distance from you, and move quietly to a safe area."

Be a Rock:
If the dog still attacks you and manages to knock you over, Roo says to curl up and cover your head, like the tornado drills you did in school, pulling your face down into your chest and covering your neck with your hands. He reiterates that if you're boring, the dog is much more likely to simply leave you alone.

Take Precautions:
If you're particularly concerned, you can carry a canister of pepper spray or mace with you, and Roo adds that there are citronella versions that also work well. But the best prevention is to know your route. Avoid any areas where owners allow their dogs to roam, and if you're trying a new path, drive it a few times first to see if you notice anything unsafe, canine-related or otherwise. Then simply stay aware while running. "If you notice an unknown dog ahead of you that you're not comfortable with, the sooner you stop and keep your distance-without running away-the better chance you'll have at avoiding an encounter," Roo says.

For more information on dog attacks, visit the website below:
How to Handle a Dog Attack

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How to Care for Your Pet's Eyes

Eyes are very delicate but surprisingly durable. There are steps you can take now to care for your pet's eyes so they aren't prone to infections and traumas later. One thing that is all-important is observing your pet's eyes, so you can catch any problem early and prevent it.

Infections of the eye are usually caused by bacteria and are treated with antibiotic ointment or solutions. The most common infection of the eye is also the easiest to detect: conjunctivitis. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness around the eye and a yellow or greenish discharge.



Dogs

Preventing infection can be as easy as keeping your pet's eyes clean. Here are some steps to follow to prevent infections from happening:

• Trim hair from around your pet's eyes using blunt-nosed scissors. Keeping hair from scraping on the eye will help prevent bacteria from getting into the eye.

• By making sure the corners of your pet's eyes are mucus-free you may be able to prevent infections. Bacteria often feed on mucus and can migrate into the eye. Using sterile veterinary eyewash like Eye Clens® Eye Wash is a convenient way to do this.

• Make sure to use protective ophthalmic ointment before you apply insecticides or before bathing your pet. This can prevent eye irritations that can lead to infection.

• Keep your pet from situations where he may get eye trauma. Fights with other animals, exposure to irritating substances and letting your pet hang his head out of the car windows are three preventable situations when your pet could receive eye trauma.

Tear stains are also an area that may become a hotbed for bacteria. Some dogs, such as Poodles, Cockers, and small Terriers, don't have the proper mechanism for draining the tears out of the lacrimal gland (tear duct). The excess tears spill down the lower eyelid causing unsightly staining. Trimming hair around the eye, keeping the eye clean, and using a tear stain remover like Show Eyes® Solution or Pads can all help.







Cats

Cats experience unique health complications that are often not found in humans or in any other type of mammal. There are, however, some very common ailments found in the feline family that is often present in our own children and even among adults. If you are caring for family cats, and if you are concerned about your cat's vision health, it is important to become familiar with the signs of pink eye in cats.

By their very nature, cats are typically extremely clean and often prevent their own disease and illnesses by maintaining a very hygienic lifestyle. In some cases, however, a cat can develop an infection, especially in the eyes, from this excessive cleaning that may spread bacteria and fungi.

Pink eye in cats is quite common. While we typically associate pink eye with the infections in adults and children, our cats can be at risk as well. For many cats, this type of eye infection may begin as a response to an allergen or in response to a bacteria picked up while self-cleaning. The symptoms, however, are typically the same as that found in the human population.






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Americans Spent $50.96 Billion on Their Pets in 2011

For the first time in history more than $50 billion has been spent on pets: dogs, cats, canaries, guppies and the like, reports The American Pet Products Association.

Food and vet costs accounted for about 65 percent of the spending. But it was a service category - one that includes grooming, boarding, pet hotels, pet-sitting and day care - that grew more than any other, surging 7.9 percent from $3.51 billion in 2010 to $3.79 billion in 2011.

APPA President Bob Vetere said 2012 should be another banner year for services, predicting it would grow 8.4 percent to an estimated $4.11 billion in 2012.

Owners are taking care of their pets, said Dr. Jessica Vogelsang, a San Diego veterinarian and author of pawcurious.com. "They are planning ahead. When they go on vacation, they want to make sure their pets are well cared for," she said.

Spending in 2011 was up 5.3 percent from 2010, when it totaled $48.35 billion, Vetere said. He estimated 2012 sales would total $53 billion.

In 2011, people spent $19.85 billion on food, $13.41 billion on vet care, $11.77 billion on supplies and over-the-counter medicines, $3.79 billion on other services and $2.14 billion on live animal purchases.

In 2010, they spent $18.76 billion on food, $13.01 billion on vet care, $10.94 billion on supplies and over-the-counter medicines, $3.51 billion on other services and $2.13 billion on live animal purchases.

Food sales did slow down, Vetere said, even though the 5.8 percent growth exceeded projections of 4.1 percent growth.

APPA numbers indicate that animal sales and adoptions are flattening out and the number of people who switched over to high-end food products is topping out.

Pet ownership is becoming less of an impulse decision, Vogelsang said. "I am seeing a lot of people saying, 'This isn't the time for us.' People are more interested in pets than ever before but they are taking their time, once they make the commitment, to do it right."

"I don't think this is a bad thing. I am proud of the owners," she said.

Pet insurance is another area that is expected to grow briskly, Vetere said. Included in the veterinary care category, insurance was estimated to be $450 million in 2011 and expected to grow to more than $500 million in 2012.

"Insurance makes such a difference in the health of an animal," Vogelsang said. "I can't tell you how many times I have had a pet come in and the only reason (the owners) were able to afford catastrophic care is because they had insurance. It's literally a life-saver and I'm really glad people are embracing the concept," the veterinarian said.

The pet industry is also a major attraction for entrepreneurs and investors looking for creative and innovative products, Vetere said.

Vogelsang believes the trend is toward "very specific items geared to the specific needs of pets. We are seeing a lot of puzzle feeders for dogs - not just toys but ones that are geared toward the mental needs of the animal. Then there are bionic toys for destructive chewers, a lot of very niche items," she said.

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