Archive for January, 2009»
Is it just pure coincidence, or is there really such a thing as dog discrimination?
Melissa Dahl, a health writer for msnbc.com, recently wrote an article about the so-called “black dog syndrome” – a phenomenon in pet rescue circles where “big, black dogs are often the last to be adopted from animal shelters.”
Gregg, 49, from Xenia, Ohio talks about a banner he’d seen on an Ohio animal shelter’s website containing words similar to “We know that you people prefer colors, but we’ve got wonderful black dogs here, won’t you please consider them?” Evidently, this suggests how difficult it is for big dogs with black coats to be adopted or find new homes.
Madeline Bernstein, the president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal, has plenty of theories about why adopters tend to rule out black dogs in most animal shelters. “It’s mostly an unconscious thing” she says, which is also true for black cats who have the same problems being adopted. People who are aware of superstitions about black cats being associated with “bad luck” may also be unconsciously passing this existing superstition about black dogs.
Reading this news about black dog discrimination made me sad and made my stomach churn a little. If there is indeed an absolute truth to this matter, then there has to be some sort of psychological explanation behind it. I have always thought black dogs are adorable, and I actually like how shinier their coats tend to appear compared to white or brown dogs.
For obvious reasons, the kinds of dogs that are less likely to be adopted in animal shelters are the older or the abused ones, or the sick and the injured ones. Apparently, little did we know that it has something to do with color as well. Whether or not this ongoing syndrome is associated with coincidence, superstition, or the color black, for some reason, just don’t appeal to potential adopters is still a big question.
Black is beautiful, but beauty is only skin deep. Give the black one a chance. It might just be the best thing that could ever happen to you.
Calling all pet parents! If you haven’t heard the news, just last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traced Salmonella contamination to a plant owned by Peanut Corporation of America and placed a recall on Peanut Butter. Peanut butter is a popular ingredient stuffed in pet chew toys and treats. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is advising to temporarily hold off the use of peanut butter products for your pets until further notice.
Young puppies and dogs with health issues and compromised immune system are at a higher risk of getting infected than healthy adult dogs, but it’s better to be safe and discontinue the use regardless of your pet’s age and condition. Some of the symptoms of Salmonella in dogs are vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, drooling, and panting. If any of these signs are present, owners should contact their veterinarian immediately.
The Salmonella alert is true for everyone, and can be passed on between pets and humans. It can also be deadly if not treated immediately. Please visit the FDA online For a complete list of recalled products related to Salmonella and do check often as the list is regularly udpated. If you ever suspect that your dog may have ingested or has become sick after ingesting a recalled product, please contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
We all know Peanut Butter is awesome, but nothing is more awesome than being healthy! So let us all wait patiently and hope that this Salmonella outbreak will all be over soon.
The name “Charlie” seems to be a popular choice by young stars such as Natalie Portman, Mischa Barton, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Dogs are becoming increasingly popular with celebrities nowadays, especially those who do not want to get into the “baby scene” just yet! Would you ever name your dog “Sheriff Steve Goldberg”? Christina Ricci did! I browsed the internet for some of the most popular celebrity dogs, and I came across a list of interesting names for small breeds that was put together by Clare Bristow, a fellow dog blogger. You can use them as inspiration when thinking about what to name your new puppy!
Chihuahua Dog Names
- Ceelo and Lolly - Adrien Brody
- Maggie – Scarlett Johansson
- Tinkerbell, Bambi, Tokyo Blu, Harajuku Bitch – Paris Hilton
- Bit Bit, Lacy, Lucky, Snow White – Britney Spears
- Luca – Pamela Anderson
Maltese Puppy Names
- Jinxy – Eva Longoria
- Marilyn – Anna Nicole Smith
- Chloe – Lindsay Lohan
- Samantha – Barbra Streisand
- Daisy – Jessica Simpson’s Maltipoo (Maltese cross Poodle)
- Blondie – Ashlee Simpson’s Maltipoo
Pomeranian Dog Names
- Foxxy Cleopatra – Nicole Richie
- Daddie – Geri Haliwell
- Princess Pep – Courtney Love
- Minnie – Sharon Osbourne
Pug Dog Names
- Sid, Nancy – Jessica Alba
- Mimi LaRue – Tori Spelling
- Boo Radley – Jake Gyllenhaal’s Puggle (Pug cross Beagle)
Cocker Spaniel Dog Names
- Solomon, Sophe – Oprah
- Buttermilk – Ashley Judd’s Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel cross Poodle)
Shih tzu Dog Name
- Puppy – Anna Nicole Smith
- Honeychild – Nicole Richie
- Munchie – Beyonce
Yorkie Dog Names
- Vida – Giselle Bundchen
- Veronica – Joan Rivers
- Jazzy, Juicy – Cindi Adams from the New York Post
Small Dog Names
- Lulu – Joan Rivers’s Boston Terrier
- Licorice – Famke Janssen’s French Bulldog
- Coco Chanel – Reese Witherspoon’s French Bulldog
- Jackson P. Mutley – Mariah Carey’s Jack Russell
- Neal – Liv Tyler’s King Charles Cavalier Spaniel
- Stinky and Chui – Christina Aguilera’s two Papillons
- Max – Joan Rivers’s Pekingese
- Sugar Pie – Anna Nicole Smith
- Noodles – Natalie Portman’s Schnoodle (Miniature Schnauzer cross Poodle)
That’s right! You and your beloved pooch can now contribute in saving the planet, just by simply shopping. Yes, shopping and choosing products that are not only good for your dog, but also good for the earth.
A Pennsylvania-based company called Paw Luxury is a down to earth online pet product store that cares about the earth, as well as the dogs and people that inhabit it. They offer high-quality, durable, holistic and eco-friendly, products for the dog and their owners, all made in the U.S.A. Best of all, they are luxurious, posh and definitely styling! They carry brands such as Spot Organics, Pet Aromatics, Earth Dog, and Bark for Peace to name a few.
The birth of this eco-friendly pet product company was inspired by a boxer dog named Lola. The owners wanted the best for their Lola, and they firmly believe in the motto “healthy dog, healthy earth, happier life.” They scouted for products that was not only good for their precious pet, but also for the earth, and that’s when the company was born. In the website, there is a special section called “Ask Lola” for any of your dog product-related questions. She is bark-lingual resident dog expert, and will help you find the perfect earth-friendly item for your dog’s needs.
Products such as chew toys made with sustainable hemp, dog beds made from re-purposed recycled plastic bottles, organic shampoos, and a whole lot more! Check out their website at www.pawlux.com for more of their eco-friendly products, and other ways on how you can help “make the earth a little greener… one paw print at a time.”
Now get those green pants on and start shopping!
Hello fellow dog lovers. I hope all of you are staying nice and warm during this good old winter season… and so are your dogs!
Depending on where you live, the winter season can mean anything extreme from below zero temperature drops, to very humid conditions. If you live in the East Coast, you are most likely currently experiencing the insanely, teeth-gritting cold weather conditions. Unless you managed to provide yourself a sweet escape and are currently surfing and vacationing with your pooch in sunny Australia, you need to be aware of how cold weather can affect your dogs health, and several other winter hazards to look out for.
Just because dogs have fur coats doesn’t mean that all of them can withstand the cold temperature. Just like us, dogs especially certain ones, are susceptible to cold temperatures. If you have puppies under six months of age, or elderly and arthritic dogs, both can be predominantly sensitive to cold temperatures. Puppies are more sensitive to cold, and as much as possible, don’t let a puppy outside in the winter. It’s more difficult for them to keep their body warm than for adult dogs. Elderly and arthritic dogs suffer because their joints are prone to stiffing which becomes a painful experience for them. Dogs who are suffering from certain diseases concerning the heart and kidney, as well as diabetes should also be kept from the cold because they find it hard to regulate their body temperature. Lastly, dog breeds that have short hair and dogs with short legs should particularly stay out from the snow, because their chests and tummies are more likely to be in contact with the snow. If the need arises, you can always let your dogs wear protective clothing from the cold. Make sure it covers the neck to the top of the tail and protects the belly.
The dogs that I have mentioned can be especially sensitive to the cold weather, but any prolonged exposure to extremely low temperatures can increase your dog’s risk for hypothermia. If you notice that your dog becoming anxious and starts shivering, whining, and moving generally slower than usual in the cold, this might be the early stage of hypothermia and you should make your way home or in a warm area as quickly as possible.
Always remember that dogs are very much like humans. They need not only physical warmth, but emotional as well! The winter time can get depressing, so keep your pets happy this season as much as they like to keep you company. Everyone can make the most out of the winter time by participating in fun winter activities, but make sure you and your dogs are well protected from the cold. ‘Til next time.
Stay toasty!