Do You Know Dogs?

If you're sniffin' around the 'Net looking for something to do, why not check out this cool Dog Breed Quiz.
We enjoyed it quite a bit, and were really suprised by some of the answers.

Dog Bed and Breakfast?

Lately, Mia has taken to sleeping in the larger dogs' bowls. She gets plenty of food (as you can see from her pudgy belly!), and she has a wonderfully soft dog bed of her own, so we're really not sure why she's doing this.
Jay comes running to "tell mommy" whenever Mia's in his bowl, so it's obviously not something that the Boxers find amusing.
Does anyone else have a little dog who has this habit?

National Homeless Animals Day

August 19th is this year's date for National Homeless Animals Day. The International Society for Animal Rights Online (ISAR) founded this annual holiday in 1992 to increase public awareness of the millions of cats dogs and killed in shelters annually due to lack of homes, and to emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering pets.
Organizations around the world participate in many ways to acknowledge this holiday including: mobile adoptions, animal shelter open houses, festivals, spay/neuter or vaccination clinics, pet walks, and candlelight vigils. We encourage you to check your community calender to see how your area recognizes this event, or even to think up your own ways to participate by supporting your local humane organizations.

Frozen Dog Treat Recipes

Here are a couple treat recipes to help keep your pup cool this summer. They are quick and easy to make, but they do make a bit of a mess when they melt so you will want to serve them somewhere away from your carpeting!

Yogurt Pops:

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
3/4 cup water
16 ounces plain nonfat yogurt

Instructions:
Dissolve bouillon in water, then thoroughly mix with yogurt in a blender. Pour into ice cube trays, cover and freeze.

Peanut Butter Pops

Ingredients:
1- 32oz. container of yogurt
1 cup of peanut butter

Instructions:
Melt peanut butter in the microwave, then mix with yogurt in a bowl. Pour into cupcake papers and freeze.

Keep Those Hot Dogs Cool!

With forecasts across the nation still predicting record high summer temperatures and humidity, we mustn't forget that dogs are even more at risk for heat stroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses as humans are. Dog's bodies are designed to conserve heat, and are much less efficient at cooling themselves. Below are a few things to consider to help your pet cool down and stay safe.

*Access to fresh water is one of the most important requirements for your dog, even if they stay indoors. Dogs will drink more in the hot summer months, so be sure to check their bowl often. Consider buying a "no-tip" bowl or an automatic waterer.

*Encourage your dog to remain as inactive as possible in the heat, if they haven't already taken it apon themselves to do this.

*Let your dog get wet! A plastic kiddie pool or a water sprinkler in the yard can provide lots of relief. If your dog is very small, you can buy a clean plastic pan (such as the ones they use for draining oil) to serve as a miniature pool for them.

*Give your dog a cool treat, such as an ice cube or a small piece of popsicle.

*If your pet is left alone in your home during the day while you work, prepare ahead of time in case there is a power outage in your neighborhood. Be sure there will be someone available who can at least check on your pets and open some windows if the air conditioning goes out.

* If you have an outdoor dog, consider bringing him indoors during the hottest part of the day, and be sure that his area of the yard provides plenty of shade. Try to use a tip-proof bowl for water, and remember to refill it often. Make sure the water bowl is in the shade, since the sun can quickly make it too hot to drink.

*If you must walk your dog, try to avoid walking them during the mid-day heat, and keep the walks short. If possible, select a route that provides as much shade as possible. Remember that dog's paws can be burned on hot sidewalks, sand, and asphalt: lay your palm on the surface, and if it is uncomfortable to you it will be uncomfortable to them. To avoid hot surfaces, allow your dog to walk in the grass as much as possible, or consider getting them a set of dog boots.

*When traveling in the car, don't forget to carry water and a bowl for your pet, and NEVER leave them in the car, even for a short time. On hot humid days, temperatures inside of a car parked in direct sunlight can rise more than 30 degrees per minute, and rapidly become lethal. Leaving windows down will not help (try sitting in the car for a few minutes after you turn it off--- you'll quickly realize what we mean). If you see a pet that has been left in a car, do take the time to contact the store's security officer or the police; it may just save that animal's life.

*Lots of innovative products are available to help keep your pet comfortable, including cooling bandanas, vests, and water-filled cooling beds.

If you dog begins to show signs of heat illness, immediately move them to a shaded or air-conditioned area. Encourage them to drink water, and apply cool packs to the head, neck and/or belly, or immerse them in cool (not cold) water to begin lowering their temperature. If you suspect your dog has a heat-induced illness, take them to the vet immediately. Some signs to watch out for are: heavy panting, vomiting, fever, excessive thirst, staggering, dark red or purple gums and/or tongue, listlessness, dazed look, rapid heartbeat, refusing to drink.

A Doggy Dialect

Isn't it funny how many idioms and expressions we have that pertain to dogs? Here's a list of some of them we've thought up; can you think of any more?

A barking dog never bites
A dog and pony show
A hang-dog look
Barking up the wrong tree
Dog days of summer
Dog tired
Doggone it!
Every dog has its day
Gone to the dogs
His bark is worse than his bite
Hot diggity dog!
I double dog dare ya
If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch
In the dog house
It's a dog-eat-dog world
Lead a dog's life
Let sleeping dogs lie
Mean as a junk-yard dog
Putting on the dog
Raining cats and dogs
Sick as a dog
The hair of the dog that bit you
The underdog
Top dog
Treat you like a dog
Work like a dog
You can't teach an old dog new tricks
You lucky dog!