Love is in the air!
Check out our Valentine’s Day Collection and share your puppy love! Use the coupon code valentine to receive 15% off the total price and FREE SHIPPING on orders above $75 - offer expires 2/28/2010.
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is currently responding to the earthquake in Haiti. The toll that this earthquake has taken on Haiti is enormous and our hearts and thoughts are with the survivors during this time of devastation. WSPA is poised to work alongside the humanitarian aid groups to help the animals that people so desperately rely on in this impoverished country.
Please help us bring relief to animals at this time of urgent need
When people’s properties are destroyed, animals’ homes often disappear too. Wild animals often have to flee their habitat to survive. Domesticated animals are at risk of remaining trapped or abandoned with no food or water. Helping animals affected by disasters not only reduces their suffering, but also helps restore entire communities.
As you can understand, information at this time is sparse. WSPA will continue to provide up-to-the-minute reports as we get more information from our team in the field through our Animals in Disaster blog.
WSPA leads the way in treating animals affected by disasters but we need your help to continue our critical mission. Please give generously towards our disaster relief fund – now.
Source: WSPA
Yes, I know firewood pollute the environment and so this is one of my once a year guilty pleasures 
So, I had to steal the moment of my boys ….so long until next year!
Oliver & Jared
January is the National Train your Dog Month. Hundreds of thousands of dogs have been turned into animal shelters because their owners didn’t know how to deal with behavior problems and couldn’t find a reliable resource to help them. The APDT, think it is long overdue to dedicate a month where we can bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training, and most of all, to inform the public that training your dog can be simple and fun! The APDT has selected January as the perfect month because, as we all know, so many dogs and puppies are adopted and brought home during the winter holidays. Our desire is to help these new pet parents start off the new year with their newest family member in the best way possible.
The APDT is planning a variety of events in January 2010 to celebrate National Train Your Dog Month. It is our hope that the everyday dog owners will visit our Web site, so that they can see how easy and fun training can be, and how patience, consistency and a deeper understanding of their dog’s behavior can lead to happier, healthier and harmonious households. We have a wide range of topics that we’ve covered so that pet owners will recognize themselves & their dogs. We have provided a great deal of information that will help using methods that are kind gentle and that have an emphasis on building your relationships with your dogs.
Please visit ADPT for more information
Source: ADPT
Has your pooch been good this year? Why not reward their good behavior with the coolest gifts from our Holiday Collection at Dress My Pooch. Fill up your stocking with the eco friendly pooch essentials offered at 25% off the regular price. Use the coupon code holiday09 during check out - valid until Dec 30, 2009. Hurry!
Kukur Tihar is celebrated in Nepal every year and it falls within the Tihar festival. On this particular day the streets of Nepal will be full of dogs wearing garland and tika. In Hindu religion, dog, which is believed to be messenger of Lord Yamaraj, the god of death, is worshiped once a year on this day. People offer garland, tika and delicious food to the animal, and acknowledge the cherished relationship between humans and the oldest ever tamed animal.
The last Friday of September commemorates ” International Hug a Vegetarian Day” and is celebrated by people around the world. This day is observed “to promote joy, compassion and life enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism”. For more please visit peta2.com
The U.S. Marine Corps ruled against several dog breeds they consider to be dangerous from living on Marine installations. They have given the owners 60 days to either move their dogs out of base housing or apply for a waiver which will require their pets to be tested.
The rule which is now part of the Marine Corps Housing Management Manual bans purebred and mixed breed Pit bull dogs, Rottweilers and canid/ wolf hybrids from being on “any Marine Corps installation, at any time.” The only exception would be trips directly to and from a base veterinary office, “with no other stops aboard the installation authorized.”
The MarineTimes reported, “Base residents who do not comply with the policy may be evicted.”
The new mandate sounds harsh, but unfortunately it was born out of several tragedies that could have been prevented, if some of the dogs’ owners were more responsible.
In 2005 a Rottweiler living on base at Camp Lejeune, N.C, got loose and grabbed a 9-year-old girl by the head while she was playing outside. The child survived, but received disfiguring injuries to her face and neck. She has needed several painful surgeries and faces more as she gets older.
And this summer a 3-year-old boy was attacked and killed by a Pit bull dog that was visiting the base.
The lawyer for the 9-year-old girl’s family said, “It’s clear to anyone who drives around Camp that dogs routinely run loose. The Marine Corps has a problem.” The Corps addressed this problem by implementing the new ban.
The actual policy states it this way, “The rise in ownership of large dog breeds with a predisposition toward aggressive or dangerous behavior, coupled with the increased risk of tragic incidents involving these dogs,
necessitates a uniform policy to provide for the health, safety and tranquility of all residents of family housing areas.”
The ban is actually trying to be fair by making a concession for residents who already own one of the restricted breeds. It is giving them 60 days to apply for a waiver that would “grandfather” their pets until September 30, 2012. The waiver must be approved by the installation commander, and the dog must pass a “nationally-recognized temperament test, administered and interpreted by individuals who have been certified in technique and evaluation of the test results, at the service member resident’s expense. Such tests include Canine Good Citizen (AKC) and the Delta Test (Delta Society).”
The policy is good news for dog trainers who have started offering group and private classes to help the dogs prepare for the exam. The dogs must be able to complete the following tasks:
The test will also determine a dog’s reaction to another dog and to a distraction.
The ban has animal rescue groups like Pit Bull Rescue San Diego worried that many of the dogs won’t be able to pass the test and will be relinquished to animal shelters. PBRSD stated, “Shelters are already at capacity from the housing and economic crisis.” They are encouraging Marines who own these dogs to work on getting the waiver and training. They have also posted a Pit-friendly housing list for anyone who is considering moving off base with their dogs.
Ultimately the dogs will be the ones to suffer if this new policy isn’t taken seriously. They will be confiscated and evicted and will likely end up at shelters. It’s sad that the Marine Corps was forced to implement this ban. It is a commentary on what is going on all over the country with breed specific legislation; some pet owners are irresponsible, tragedy happens and people demand laws to make them safe.
The Marines have until October 11, 2009 to get their waivers and have their dogs’ tested. It will be interesting to see how many Marines follow-through and protect their pets.
Source: Sharon Seltzer ( care2.com)
Why does my dog always lift his leg on my plants and kill them?” This question is a top concern for dog guardians, especially those with male dogs. When we get the call that dogs have killed many plants in a new garden, I always suspect the lack of “fire hydrants,” as I call them.
Many dog guardians (who are also avid gardeners) don’t realize that specific habits need to be encouraged to help prevent dogs from potentially wreaking havoc on their yards. Dogs tend to make my job very easy since they choose to “use” the same plant(s) time after time. Therefore, we simply leave the dead plant as a marker for the dog and install a beautiful container, bird bath, boulder or any inanimate object that will add interest and scenic value to the area.
Container gardens actually require less maintenance, since homeowners do not need to weed or water them as often. They also provide flexibility, as gardeners can change the color scheme, variety, and texture of plants annually. You’ll want to stick with upright plants rather than cascading ones, though, to minimize urine damage. Herbs can often be incorporated into container gardens and can also add a wonderful fragrance. It’s best to stay away from porous containers, since they compete with plants for water. And do not use containers that have been painted, as the urine can burn the paint and create an unattractive stain. Plastic, stone (troughs), or composite containers are often your best bet for durability.
Another solution is a bird bath. Homeowners can attract a variety of birds by using bird-attracting plants in addition to providing water for them. One word of caution—it’s only fair to attract birds if neighbors do not have outdoor cats who can harm or kill birds.
Boulders are a beautiful “fire hydrant” solution. Boulders have their own personalities—each face is unique. They are not terribly expensive and can withstand urine burns.
With success, we have used all these wonderful choices to enhance gardens while making people and Fido happy!
Source: Elizabeth Bublitz - Peta: Home & Gargen
