Happy St. Patty's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day. All of the humans in my house are wearing green today. I'm feeling a little green...Must have eaten something yucky yesterday. I was up sick in the middle of the night. But, I'm feeling a little better today.

Spring is definitely in the air. It's been raining a bit here in Boise (still snowing in the mountains, which the humans like so they can go skiing!). The crocuses are blooming and the grass is beginning to green up a bit. Spring is a really great time for humans and their pets. It's time to get out and enjoy the great weather. And pets like me really get to start enjoying some time outside. But, there are some dangers to be aware of. Here are the top 10 spring tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association:

*Fleas and ticks
They can be tiny, little more than a pinhead in some instances, but they grow and spread quickly once they find a host. The preventative treatments that you may have discontinued in the winter should start early in the spring to keep your pet's coat, and your home, free of pests.

*Lawn fertilizers
Lawn fertilizers are very toxic to pets. Store fertilizers in a place far from where your dog or cat -- and children-- can get at it. After applying it to your lawn, follow manufacturer instructions on how long you should wait before allowing your pet into the area. If you see a sign posted on a lawn that tells you to keep your pets off, abide by it.

*Pesticides and herbicides
It's probably not surprising that these chemicals can be toxic to your pets, but, even when they're not lethal, there are some long-term health concerns. Studies indicate the use of pesticides and herbicides may be tied to increased rates of specific forms of cancer in dogs. If your pet is exposed, wash them with soap and water immediately and call your veterinarian.

*Cocoa bean mulch
It's becoming common to mulch a garden with the fragrant spent shells of cocoa beans. But just like chocolate, dogs like to eat them and they are toxic.

*Lilies
Lilies are a flower common in the spring, and they are very, very toxic to cats. Cats will often chew them, and even small amounts can lead to kidney failure and death.

*Rhubarb leaves
Rhubarb makes a fine pie and it's a staple in many vegetable gardens, but the leaves are poisonous and can cause kidney failure. For a complete list of plants and plantings that can be dangerous to pets, visit www.avma.org.

*Rat and mouse poisons
Controlling vermin becomes an issue again in the spring. Be aware that the same properties of common rat and mouse poisons that make them irresistible to pests will also attract your pet. If consumed, these can be fatal to your animal.

*Cleaning products
Spring cleaning is an annual tradition in many households, but make sure the cleaning products don't hurt your animals. If the label states "keep pets and children away from area until dry" follow those instructions carefully, and store all chemicals out of reach of children and pets.

*Paint and paint thinners
If you're putting a fresh coat of paint on the house, keep the pets away. Paint thinners, mineral spirits and other solvents can cause severe irritation or chemical burns if swallowed or even if they come in contact with your pet's skin. Latex house paints typically produce a minor stomach upset, but some specialty paints may contain heavy metals or volatile substances that could be harmful if ingested.

*Preventative medications
Consult with your veterinarian about seasonal medications to keep your pet healthy. For example, in many parts of the country, heartworm medications for dogs are often discontinued in the winter. Springtime is the season to restart this medication to keep your dog free of this parasite. But keep in mind that manufacturer's instructions warn that heartworm medications should not be given without first visiting your veterinarian to ensure that your pet has not developed the heartworm parasite. A simple blood test will give you that peace of mind.

So, as the weather warms up and the days become longer, I'm going to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. But, I know that my humans will make sure that I'm safe.

And, don't forget to check out the new tee shirts at a tail we could wag. While you're there, maybe you'll see something for your best friend too!

A Taste of Spring

Today is a beautiful day here in Eagle, Idaho. The temperature was probably close to 70! We even opened the windows in the house. And I got to spend some wonderful time playing outside. And if that wasn't enough, Laurie took me on a long walk where I could sniff and eat everything I saw (until she told me to "leave it" or took it out of my mouth!)

Ok, so now that it's getting close to spring, time to get out some new duds...Maybe a new collar for the dog (with a matching lead), a new belt to match and a new tee shirt to bring it home! You can find all of this cool stuff at www.tailwags.com.

Hopefully this weather will last but I think not. It looks like its going to rain and I think it may snow again later this week. But, the weather changes pretty quickly here and soon it will be spring for good.

Congratulations "Stump"

We watched the Westminster Kennel Club dog show last night with great interest, because dogs are cool! Congratulations to Stump on winning best in show. Can you believe he's 10 years old! Oldest dog in the history of WKC to win best in show! Way to go.

Now, while a boxer didn't win either group or show, the best in breed did come in second in group (working dog). Pretty cool. Of course, I was sleeping while the humans were cheering her on. Making comments all the while about how I was cuter than the boxer in the show but I would need to work on my other skills (like listening, not jumping, being a little calmer, etc.) Anyway, I'm not going to be a show dog, just a great family pet! Besides, I get to wear these really cool collars from a tail we could wag. If you haven't checked them out yet, you should! They've got all sorts of really cool stuff for both us dogs and our human companions. And, they're offering a Valentine's Day discount (15%) through February 17, 2009. Check it out!

So, again, congrats to all the winners at the show! And to all of the rest of us, we're pretty great too!

Winter Reading

Well, by now you've figured out that my human owner is posting for me. After all, I'm a dog...a cute one, but still a dog! So, I get to lounge around while the humans do all sorts of fun stuff. One of their favorite lazy time activities is reading. All of them read, ALOT! Recently all but Zack read a cute book called "A Dogs Life". It's an "autobiography" written from a dog's point of view. The hero is a stray that goes through quite a bit in her lifetime before finding a permanent home. Now, I don't want to give anything away, but during her adventures she is sometimes mistreated by humans, even ones that think they are being nice to her. So, just a reminder (and I know that anyone reading my blog already knows this) that when pets are brought into homes every effort needs to be made to keep them for life. But, you may come across situations where you see animals not being treated quite right. If you do, you might want to visit your local shelter for tips and advice. The Humane Society of the United States also offers some tips on animal abuse and neglect. We're all in this together and anything you can do to stop or prevent animal abuse is greatly appreciated by animals and animal lovers.

And, if you know of any other good dog stories, please let us know! Happy reading!

January Blahs but Don't Forget to Exercise

It's January. Here in Eagle (Boise) Idaho we have hardly seen the sun in nearly a week. It's hard to get my owners to take me out. But, they know that exercise is an important part of my daily routine. They take me out to run me around the yard with one of my favorite toys, a blue boomerang from Tuff Enuff. I love to fetch it and then play hard to get! Other days, they take me out on a long walk, which is great because I love seeing new things and they get some exercise too. I even love to play inside with the boys. We play "football" with my soft toys (so nothing gets broken!)

Not only is exercise great for me (and my humans), but it wears me out, so I sleep better and am a bit calmer! But remember, the type and amount of exercise dogs get depends on a lot of things like age, health and breed. Here are some tips about dog exercise. But whatever you do, don't let the winter blues keep you from getting out and having some fun. I can't wait till it snows again!

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Season's Greetings for all! We've been busy this holiday season but want to take time to share our season's greetings. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. There's me and my new toy, me all tuckered out, my two human brothers (Zack & Max) and my bfff Spacejam!

Holiday Treats

I'm a dog. I'll do anything for food! I love treats. Big ones, small ones, any kind. My human family loves giving me treats when I'm good (and sometimes when I'm not so good). Recently, my human mom made some homemade treats. Boy, were they yummy. What a great holiday gift idea! Instead of another toy that will be quickly destroyed or forgotten (just like human kids!), how about making your pet some holiday treats. If you're baking for human family and friends, why not bake for the rest of us! Here are a couple of my favorites:

Cheesy Dog Biscuits
Super Simple Chunky Peanut Dog Treats

Please make sure the recipe you are using is for dog (or cat) treats, not humans! I'll eat anything but not everything is good for me. Click here Toxins (Poisons) That Effect Dogs for a list of items that can really hurt us. For more information on pet poison control, visit the ASPCA - Animal Poison Control.

Please have a happy and safe holiday!