Archive for November, 2009
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?
Step Up to Your Horse Tack Box
Tired of walking back and forth to get your tools? I have been in that position. I forget something and I have to keep walking back and forth to the barn to get it. Not fun when you are trying to get something accomplished. Horse supplies are not always in the right place at the right time.
Have you, no matter how hard you try to remember it all, you just seem to accidently leave something important at home when traveling with your horse(s)? I have.
Have you spent a lot of time just looking for all the important things you need to bring with you when you travel with your horse? I have.
I have found the most convenient thing to have, even when I have traveled. It is a step and a storage area in one. Actually it’s called Mounting Steps. It’s great for being able to comb the mane without having to reach up for a long period of time or have the inability to do so. We all know how long it could take to comb a mane or tail.
The steps can come in 2 or 3 step versions. But I absolutely love the 3 step version that has a lockable storage area in the top step. Whether I am traveling or at home it makes it a simple and easy solution to help keep my tools all in one place, when and where I need them. I especially like to keep the horse pick, grooming tools such as the curry comb and brushes. With the lockable top I can keep my supplies safe from others when I do have to travel. That saves me time and money.
I just wanted to give you one of my suggestions. Let me know what you think.
Dog Beds vs The Floor, Which Would You Choose?
As pet owners we treat our pets as if they were family. They eat our scraps of food (oops did I say that), the kids sneak their vegetables to them, or did you think the kids were actually eating them?
I know I want the best for my pets. As they get older it is harder for them to become more comfortable. They get achy too. They have joint problems that make it hard to find a comfortable position to lie down. I have tried to buy simple foam or the egg crate foam, but as many times as I had to buy it, it became more and more expensive especially when I always have so many dogs.
I decided to actually use my money wisely, for a change. There are a variety of beds available that I liked for my friends like the heated dog bed or the orthopedic dog bed that have the memory foam in them. I also found, believe it or not, a bed that is heated and gives the dog a massage! I just have to get one and let you know about it later. I will keep you updated.
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.
Clean and Picture Perfect Horse!
Please take my Picture
It is vital to keep your horses coat clean not only for the look of the shiny coat, but also for health reasons. Keeping your horse clean can help prevent dangerous diseases from wrecking havoc on your horses coat and skin. There are a few different pieces of grooming equipment that are needed for the proper grooming of your horse. Below is a quick overview of how I always have done.
First I make sure to secure my horse with a halter and lead rope. This is to make sure that it is safe for me and my horse. I also am sure to use a quick release clip in case I need to release the animal quickly.
1. Use a coarse curry comb to begin the process. Brush from front to back, beginning by the horse’s neck and continuing over and down towards the hind. Do this on both sides using circular motions to remove loose hair and bring dirt to remove dirt and debris. Use a fine curry comb to clean and massage sensitive areas.
2. Use a stiff brush to remove all the dirt and debris that were brought to the surface by the curry comb. You don’t have to press hard when using the stiff brush. But do use short quick strokes. Do not use the stiff brush on the face, the inside of the hind legs, and other sensitive body parts of the horse.
3. Use a soft brush for the parts of the body that you did not use the stiff brush on.
4. A sponge or a wet rag can be used to clean the horse’s eyes, ears, and nose.
5. You can use fingers to separate and smooth the hairs in the horse’s mane and tail but the easiest and most efficient way is to use a mane comb. Please take your time when working on the mane and tail as you don’t want to pull or break the hairs.
6. Don’t forget the hooves. Keeping the hooves clean will allow your horse to walk comfortably and will clean out any pebbles, dirt or foreign objects.
Once you are finished your horse should have a clean shiny coat, mane and tail. Beautiful!
There are also a variety of shampoos to use should you want to give your horse a bath. But either way you choose, keeping your horse clean is to help to make sure that no illness can infest your horses’ skin. It also is a way to create a special bond and to be able to recognize any changes to your horses’ body.
A Doggone Great Christmas Tradition
When Christmas rolls around, our family spares no expense. While we scrimp and save for the better part of a year, the holidays are a time to indulge in life’s little pleasures and to celebrate with family and friends. As such, we put plenty of care and planning into our annual gift exchange. No one in the household is exempt from being treated to a high-quality gift – not even Oliver, our golden lab.
Last year, we decked Oliver out in some festive faux reindeer antlers and gave him some leftover table scraps for Christmas. I seriously doubt he could have asked for more. This year, I’ll be getting him a packet of rawhide strips and a Christmas dog costumes. As for the rest of the family, I’ll have to start brainstorming and shopping soon. It’s rare that I procrastinate this late into the year.
Charlie’s Memorial to the Indestructible Ball
I have to say I have had many pets in my life but none touched my heart as much as Charlie III. We had Charlie’s mother, Sheba, and his Aunt Sable. Both crossed the Rainbow Bridge last year.
Charlie was supposed to be my sons companion, however, when Charlie developed DM (Degenerative Myeolopathy) at the young age of 9, it was a difficult time. If you don’t know about DM it gradually decreases your pets ability to walk and have normal functions of the body. The first sign for Charlie was knuckle dragging of the hind end. He would still run and play, chase the balls, play with his toys and chase squirrels of, course.
I wanted to share the ball that Charlie loved to play with, because he still played with it while he was in his wheelchair. It had to be an indestructible ball as he was a very good chewer and ran things over with his wheelchair.
Unfortunately Charlie crossed over the Rainbow Bridge to be with his mom and his aunt so his ball has been passed down to his sister.
Are Your Dogs Smart?
Do you want to see how really smart your dog is and keep them entertained at the same time?
Toys can teach old dogs new tricks! They can also teach the pups as well. Some toys can test you dogs and show you just how smart they actually are. Let your pet show you.
I always want to make sure that the toys are both challenging and fun for my dogs! The puzzle toys that are available can be the best thing I have ever provided my dog. Of course, if you are testing and challenging your dogs’ intelligence you want to watch them. You don’t want your pet to get frustrated with a toy. That is not what they are made for. They are there to help develop skills. If your dog gets frustrated by a toy they may just want to chew on it and ruin the toy and its purpose. So supervision is advised. Once they get the rings off the bone or the balls out of the cube you want to be there to put them back so that they are constantly being challenged during your time together. But I do think my dogs, Marina, Baby and Miracle are the smartest dogs in the world.
Put the toy away once playtime is over to preserve the challenge of the game.
A stroll in the park with your dog…or anywhere else
Many think that dog strollers are an unnecessary and costly pet accessory. I would say that those that make that statement are not pet owners or more specifically, dog owners. Strollers are not just for the rich and famous or simply for esthetic purposes. There is more to them than meets the eye, especially, if you have a pet that is restricted due to surgery or injury or possibly some other health issues. My dog was stricken with a condition that took away his ability to walk for any period of time and it was the only way to be able to take him to the park. He loved to be outside.
What some do not realize is that some dogs are not able to walk a long distance or cannot for a very long time. Some walking will put undue stress on joints and muscles that cannot withstand it. While it may seem extreme, to some, strollers allowed me and my pet to make a trip to the park or down the road in a comfortable way without the need to stop and rest. I still wanted to get exercise and have him along with me. There are choices of strollers such as the Jogger Stroller, a regular push stroller and those that can be pulled in back of your bicycle.
Dog lovers and owners are purchasing dog clothes, coats, and shoes for their friends to keep them warm, dry, safe and in style. They are our companion, friend and, at times, protector. Why not treat them with the best intentions? Many manufacturers of pet products have come up with innovative ways to keep owners and pets together. There are a variety of different pet strollers available now in great colors and styles.