Archive for the ‘Dog Apparel’ Category
Special Dog Harness Part 2
As stated in part 1 the specialized dog harness, Bottom’s Up, is a special leash that helps your pet walk when they are having some problems with their joints or have a neurological problem. The Bottom’s Up leash help to support the rear end of your dog by looping straps around their hinds legs so that you can help hold up the rear end. The leash supports your pet but does not hinder their ability to relieve themselves.
I previously stated some medical reasons that you may need this leash. I wanted to continue on with one last one that is extremely important to me.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs. The disease has an insidious onset typically between 8 and 14 years of age. It begins with a loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind limbs. The affected dog will wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag the feet. This can first occur in one hind limb and then affect the other. As the disease progresses, the limbs become weak and the dog begins to buckle and has difficulty standing. The weakness gets progressively worse until the dog is unable to walk. The clinical course can range from 6 months to 1 year before dogs become paraplegic. If signs progress for a longer period of time, urinary and fecal incontinence may occur and eventually weakness will develop in the front limbs. Another key feature of DM is that it is not a painful disease. It is also usually the last diagnosis after all other tests have been performed.
There is no cure for DM at this time and it is so heartbreaking to see you four-legged family member go through this. But they are not in pain so that can be some consolation.
DM is the reason I began the hunt for specialty items such as the rear harness and dog carts (wheel chairs). I have been through DM with my lovable dog Charlie who developed DM when he was 8 yrs old and progressed over the following year to where he needed assistance walking to go outside. This disease however did not deter him from wanting to chase squirrels! I couldn’t run that fast. Watching him made my heart melt and want to do something to help him. So like I stated, I purchased the rear harness and helped him get where he wanted to go. It was the best purchase I have ever made as it also relieved the pressure on my shoulders and back from trying to hold him up from behind and more convenient than using a towel which didn’t sit in the right places for him to relieve himself.
So if you are ever in doubt check out the rear harnesses to assist your pet through some hard times.
Special Dog Harness Part 1
While nothing will ever replace a dog leash, the dog harness the need has become more prominent in ou
r society to leash our pets. The laws and regulations regarding our pets have been put into place that you need to have a leash to walk your dog. When you have a pet with special needs sometimes the regular leash will not do.
There are a number of different product names and types to choose from depending on what your specific needs are.
Sling type dog harnesses are being used to help animals when they’re having problems walking. The Bottom’s Up Leash, actually supports the rear end of your dog and is one of many types of assisting harnesses for lifting or holding the rear end of your pet up. You can use this to assist your pet getting up the stairs, getting into the car or simply walking around.
Some of the conditions that may warrant a specialized harness
Canine arthritis
Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a progressive, debilitating disorder characterized by a loss of cartilage and the death of cartilage-producing cells. DJD can occur in any joint, but is most often found in the hip. It can lead to permanent loss of function.
In most cases, DJD occurs secondarily to trauma, nutritional disorders or infections. It is prevalent in middle-aged to geriatric dogs. DJD may also occur in young dogs who suffer from canine hip dysplasia, a common developmental disorder of the hip joint found primarily in the larger breeds and breed mixes.
My dog, Baby, is 13 yrs old and is closely getting to the time where she will need a harness as she is getting slower walking up stairs. So I definitely know where to turn from experience.
I wanted to make this a shorter post so I will talk about other conditions that would warrant you to use a Bottoms Up Harness in future posts.
Animal Safety to Keep You Pet Cool
Dogs in hot cars face an immediate crisis that is entirely preventable,” Alexis Raymond, Communications Director of the national non-profit, told Zootoo Pet News. “By educating pet owners and others that leaving a dog in the car when the weather is even mildly warm, we hope to save many animals from suffering and dying.
Download your reminder and share with others. I found these 2 posters on
http://www.mydogiscool.com/downloads/HotCar-Store-Sign.pdf
http://www.mydogiscool.com/downloads/MDIC_poster_8×11.pdf
This post is all about being aware of who you carry in the car with you. I know my dog, Baby, discovered she loves taking car rides now. So every time I pick up my car keys she is dancing around. I would love to take her everywhere I go but I also have to keep in mind that I may not be able to take her in the various companies that I have to visit. It is for their safety not our companionship that should be taken into account.
Another part of the safety issue is leaving their dog leash on them unattended. There is always a possiblity of it getting caught in the seat or over the headrest. This creates a whole new problem for your pet. Just please be aware of any and all dangers.
So I am asking you to please think before you accidently do something to harm the health and safety of your pet.
Paws for Consideration
Just because dogs lack the capability to design and manufacturer clothing and footwear doesn’t mean that they won’t appreciate a practical clothing item. Even the most devout dog lover may not realize that paw pads can be rather delicate. They should be protected from concrete in hot weather, and in inclement weather, dog boots are not a bad idea for Fido’s comfort.
In harsh conditions, dog shoes are essential to protect the padding on your dog’s feet. The shoes will also help to keep your pets・feet warm in frigid weather, and vice-versa. Not only do the shoes serve pragmatic purposes, but they also are a definitive fashion statement.
Doggles time
With the weather turning more towards springtime across the country, now is the time to start thinking of the great car rides you will give your pet.
Most of us have told our kids, don’t hang your head out of the car window or something will get in your eye. Or how about the motorcycle riders, why do you think they wear goggles, glasses or have visors on their helmet?
Doesn’t it make sense that you would protect your pet’s eyes as well? Doogles is the key to that!!
With so many colors and a couple of different styles available, why not? There is a great pair of Doggles with flames on the side. Hmmm…maybe a motorcycle ride instead of a car ride?
Bottom line is that we buy great new dog leashes and collars and sometimes a new comfortable dog bed. But how about when they are out and about on the town?
I know I don’t want to have to spend more money at the vet than is necessary for the health and wellbeing of my dogs. I would rather be out running around with them. Face it, everyone changes their wardrobe as the seasons change so why not make a change for your pet. I think it is a great a wise investment. What do you think?
The Glam Pet For 2010
Give them a gift of a New Look!
In 2010, give your pet the gift of glam! A regular grooming regimen will make your pet feel proud, pampered and healthy. After all the pampering of their bath and brushing and teeth cleaning, why not dress them up in a new dog collar and outfit. Or purhaps you will need a new halter for your horse or a lead rope.
What will you do for you pet today?
Gift of Adoption
If you read the newspapers or watch the news you have a slight idea of the animal abuse that occurs day in and day out. It is a never ending battle of what the American Humane Society fights daily.
I am taking a hint from the American Humane Society and asking that if you are thinking of adopting a pet for a family member or friend, please remember that it is a huge decision to take on your own. You may have the best of intentions to rescue an animal in need but if the receiver of that gift that does not appreciate the gesture than it is more heartbreaking and confusing for the animal to have to return the adoption center.
The best way to give the gift of adoption is to wrap a dog collar, dog toys or a horse halter in a box and present that as a gift with a card. In the card let them know that you are giving the gift of adoption to them at a time when they can visit a shelter and choose the best pet for them.
Providing a gift in this way is providing happiness for both the animal and the person receiving your gift.
Check out www.americanhumane.org for more information on adoption.
Have Reindeer in Your Own Home
Have you ever seen the pictures of the reindeer laying in the front yard of someone’s home?
Well now you can have one right in your home for the holidays. Take a look at how wonderful your pet could look.
Some of the best pictures for the holidays can be of your dog in great dog apparel. I decided to include a picture of a great Reindeer dog costume to use as an example of a picture perfect moment.
With all of the great outfits available such as dog dresses, dog sweaters and dog coats why not look at this outfit as one of the regulars every year for the holidays. It even includes dog shoes to help keep your dogs paws toasty and dry when going outside. And just look at the antlers!!
They will be the talk of the party during the holiday season and make all the kids smile. I think they will get even more attention than they normally would. Have fun and enjoy the holidays and including your pet in all the activities as well. Hey, maybe he can help Santa in his sleigh!! By the way, all my husband can do is laugh at the dogs in their outfits. Hey, if it puts a smile on everyones face isn’t worth it?
Charlie’s Chair Needs A Home
I have written about Charlie before, but I wanted to elaborate further on what his condition is and the wonderful people, besides my family, that helped me through it. Let me first tell you about Charlie. He was a bouncy, furry, loveable little boy. He was always up for chasing a ball or, of course, the squirrels. He would always squeak with joy when you came home. When he turned 8 we noticed that he was dragging his back paws. Then he started tripping over nothing. When we took him to vet he was, basically, “diagnosed” with something call Degenerative Myeolopathy (DM for short). It is a condition that affects the spinal column and basically breaks down the body and systems of the body. We were told that there was no cure. He would gradually deteriorate. The vet gave him a few months until he would have to be “put down”.
Well, I found the best website, www.mzjf.com, that contained a lot of information for me and everyone else going through this. I never realized that it was happening to so many. Their forums were wonderful support and had recipes and medicine (through a Pharmaceutical company) to help slow down the progression.
We bought him a wheelchair in February 2008. That was about 6 months after he was diagnosed. He was in doggie diapers and we used a sling to move him around in the house. He happily used the wheelchair for a year before it was his time to cross the rainbow bridge. I wanted to share this information in case you thought you were alone in this. Feel free to contact me through my website to get information on Charlie’s wheelchair as I have it sitting in my garage waiting for someone who may need it.
I have already found homes for his dog harnesses, orthopedic dog bed and other supplies and his dog toys have been handed down to his sister and “cousins”.
Marina the Bear!!
It seems to me that almost every dog I get, and it has been a lot, has to have an amount of fur that would make a dozen great sweaters or make a multiple amount of bird nests. Marina is one of those dogs. Just take a look at her picture! That’s just her face! All of the dog collars I have used seem to disappear in her fur.
I have tried all the newest concoctions out there. No matter what I do she always winds up with the knots behind her ears or the mats under her tail. And we won’t talk about the mess I found this weekend on her hind end. Its fall and it seems she is so furry that I couldn’t see all the leaves she had gathered while going to the bathroom until after she was in the house. Just wonderful. I spent over an hour just brushing and combing her hind end that I never made it to the front or belly. I guess I have to work in stages and maybe one day I can get it all in one day. Wish me luck.