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Insurance News – With Food Contaminations Occurring More Frequently, Petplan Pet Insurance Urges Vigilance About What Goes into “Fido’s” Bowl
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Monthly Archives: July 2011
LOOK, we did it again -three years in a row!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
2011 CMUS Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award Results Are In “Badge of Approval” – Status That Matters
Awarded to: The Jumping Bulldog
Star Rating: 
View your star page at: www.talkofthetownnews.com/awards2011/7182742510
17 Ideas for Summer Fun for Pups and Their People
Summer is in full swing, so make a plan to get out-and-about with your dog for a summer adventure! Here are some ideas.
Visit a Vineyard! Many wineries welcome dogs on their grassy grounds and we’re sure your dog would enjoy a picnic there with you (no need to even ask!). Find dog-friendly wineries in California with The Wine Institute’s handy list, or search online for them in your area. Many wineries even have dog-friendly events for pups and their people – see a sampling in Woof Report’s past tip, Wineries are Going to the Dogs.
Catch the Show. Pack a blanket, some snacks and a bottle of wine (water and a bowl for you-know-who) and sit back and enjoy! Movie nights light up local parks all around the country, from New York City’s Bryant Park to Chicago’s Grant Park, and parks around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Take Your Best Shot. Get snap happy with your dog. Pick a gorgeous day to pose your pup, shoot the scene, or have a friend take some of you with your dog. Choose a familiar location, bring your dog toys and set a playful tone. If your photo day’s a fun experience for both of you, your shots will shine. And come holiday season, you’ll be set with photos for holiday cards and photo framed gifts.
Hit the Open Road. Pick your destination and get out of town with your pup. Just you, your dog and the vacation you both deserve. Search for pet-friendly hotels by chain at petswelcome.com or visit VRBO.com where you can filter your search to find pet-friendly vacation rentals by owner, or check out luxurypaw.com. And of course, bone up on pet friendly travel with Woof Report’s past tip, Sniffing Out Dog-Friendly Accommodations.
Cook From Scratch. Pick a recipe and pamper your pup with a homemade surprise. Doesn’t your dog deserve some of your home cooking? Find recipes for homemade frosty paws, peanut butter treats and more in the Woof ReportFeasts & Treats tip category. There’s even a tip on no-cook Kong recipes if you can’t take the heat.
Take a Class. No need to wait until Back to School time. Summer’s the perfect time to take a class or study up on doggie tricks and tips. Check in with your local SPCA for classes in flyball, agility, nose tracking and more, or maybe your dog can just use a refresher on basic manners. There’s a class out there for you two and you’ll enjoy the bonding time as much as she will.
Ruff it. Take to the hills on a dog-friendly weekend camping trip. Pitch a pup tent or go car camping. National camping resort chains like KOA and Jellystone are dog-friendly as are many private campgrounds and national forests. Rules for state parks vary, so check them out before you go. Learn more at hikewithyourdog.com.
Meet Up. Join that doggie meet up group you keep meaning to check out. Visit MeetUp.com and search by breed and/or location. Local dog resources and pet papers can also point the way to dog groups you’ll enjoy. Socialize together, isn’t that what best friends do best?
Hit the Trail. What better way to stay fit and bond with your dog than hiking together? He’ll love the nose-to-ground tracking and picking up the little critter scents. Check out Woof Report’s past tip, Hit the Hiking Trails With Your Dog, for hiking tips and to find a pup-friendly trail near you.
Show Up with Pup. Check out local calendars for upcoming doggie events in your area this summer. There’s Poochapalooza in Marysville, WA, Loreal’s Because Your Dog is Worth it Too! in Cranbury, NJ, and 14th Annual Bay to Barkers in Berkeley, CA just to name a few. Since most events benefit humane societies, attending one is a great way to help homeless pets in your community. Check in with local rescue groups and BringFido.com to learn about upcoming events.
Shore Him You Love Him. Find the off-leash beaches nearby and go-go-go! Let your dog run wild, bring Frisbees and balls for fetch, whatever you like. It’s your day together. Just don’t forget to pack plenty of water and an umbrella for instant shade whenever you need it.
See a Dog Fly. Check out dock diving, a fun sport in which dogs of all breeds, sizes and shapes compete to see who can jump the longest or highest distance into a pool from a dock or raised platform. Find events across the country where you and your pup can choose to compete together or simply enjoy the action as spectators at one of the websites for the three national dock diving organizations: DockDogs, Splash Dogs, and Ultimate Air.
Clean Up the Pup. Pick a gray day for your doggie’s home spa treatment. Start with sudsy bath, followed by ear cleaning, nail trimming and a doggie massage. Then, pop his bedding into the washer and get the grime off his dirty toys for the full makeover.
Splash Around. Spring for a kiddie pool, or even a bone-shaped one made just for dogs to set up in the yard. Then, pull up a poolside lounge, a cool drink and call it day. Your dog will love it as much as you do.
Alpo Alfresco. Pick a date and organize a dog-friendly picnic with other pooch people. Relax with your friends while the dogs romp around. Share a meal and open a bottle of wine – just don’t forget the doggie treats. Check out Woof Report’s past tip Find Great Places to Dine Out with Your Dog, to search for restaurants in your area with outdoor patios and enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner and anything in between with your fuzzy pal.
Take Pup Out to the Ballgame. Don’t miss the Dog Day Baseball games. See Woof Report’s past tip to see if there’s one near you or check with your minor league or local teams. (SF Giants fans – the 2011 Dog Day game is still not listed on the Giants website, but according to folks at the Giants, it’s August 28!)
Skip Town. Check out a new neighborhood in your city or play tourist somewhere close by. Go for a walk, try a new outdoor cafe and stop by the neighborhood pet store for a new toy and treats. What a great way to spend the day with your fur family member.
There are so many excellent outdoor activities for you and your dog to enjoy. Just remember that just like us, dog can overheat, dehydrate, even sunburn on the hot days. So it’s always best to schedule activities before or after the sun’s peak hours and pack along lots of fresh cool water and pup-approved sunblock. This way, nothing will get in the way of your good time together.
Courtesy of Woofreport.com
LOOK, we made the list!!!
LI sleuths ID doggy-do DNA
Pooper Snoopers
Getty Images
It’s poop-ulation control.
A just-opened Long Island rental building has ordered up DNA-sampling kits for dogs as a way to catch scofflaw owners who don’t clean up after their pets.
It would be the first genetics-based poop patrol in New York.
The pilot program at the Avalon Bay Community complex in Rockville Centre has already ordered four “PooPrint” kits that would require a saliva swab taken from each dog’s mouth. The samples would then be sent to a Tennessee-based lab for analysis and entered into the DNA World Pet Registry.
If a groundskeeper then finds an offending mound in a common area, he would pluck a marble-sized sample from it and store it in a plastic tube. The sample is mailed to the DNA detectives at the Bio Pet Vet lab in Knoxville, who then match it to the doggie who dunnit.
The errant owner could be fined from $50 to $1,000, but that would be up to building management.
That’s on top of the $90 charge the tenant pays to sign up for the registry in the first place.
“I think it’s a little extreme,” said a new Avalon renter about the complex’s pet police. But she and her daughter have no pets, and in any case, she said, “I would curb my dog.”
Avalon management says the program is not under way yet, but it’s a good idea.
Currently, Avalon requires a $650 one-time pet fee and a monthly $50 charge for either a cat or a dog.
Pet lab company executive Eric Mayer says the PooPrint program — whose motto is “Match the Mess Through DNA” — expects to have 300 franchises opened by the end of the year.
“We’ve been getting a ton of interest from all over,” he said.
“It’s like CSI. We build a database for the community.”
He added that PooPrint only matches the individual dog’s saliva to the poop. It does not identify the breed, mix or gender of the dog.
According to the company, an average dog dumps 276 pounds of waste a year. About 40 percent remains unscooped
In Jupiter, Fla., the village of Abacoa, a 458-condo complex, used PooPrint to curtail the pets that poop in off-limits areas. Offending owners can be fined $1,000 and even have a lien placed on their condo.
By CYNTHIA R. FAGEN
Last Updated: 2:52 AM, July 3, 2011
http://m.nypost.com/p/news/local/pooper_snoopers_ipmsZpchas1rDZzwHT87hP
Beach Safety for Pets
June 25, 2011 | By Maggie Marton
Tips to keep your pet secure in the surf and sand.
With summer officially underway, it’s time to hit the sand and surf. While taking your dog to the beach can be fun for the whole family, there are a few safety considerations that will make the trip even more enjoyable.
Surf Dog Ricochet is an award-winning surf dog and philanthropic role model. Not only does Ricochet clean up surfing awards, but she was also an extra in the movie Marmaduke. With all her beach know-how, Ricochet’s person, Judy Fridono, a certified professional dog trainer, shares her tips for keeping your dog safe at the beach.
Test your dog’s swimming smarts. It’s a common misconception that all dogs know how to swim. Not all dogs like to swim, either. Before you dive in, allow your dog time to explore along the shoreline or in shallow areas.
Scope out the beach. “Survey the surrounding area. Are there cliffs? If your dog is prone to chase critters like Ricochet, you’ll want to keep them away from potentially dangerous cliffs. They can fall off the side, or the structure may be fragile, and a whole section of the cliff can fall from underneath them,” said Fridono. She also cautions owners to look for any reefs that your dog could access. “Running on reefs can be dangerous as they have very sharp edges.”
Gear up for safety. If your dog’s recall isn’t strong or if your dog tends to chase animals like Ricochet does, bring a long lead. And even if your dogs are strong swimmers, “they should wear a life jacket because riptides can take them out,” said Fridono.
Watch for wildlife. “Watch for jellyfish lying on the shore. Dogs tend to be curious and they can be dangerous,” said Fridono. “Same thing with stingrays that like to swim near the shore. They can sting a dog’s paw.” Practice the “leave it” command before your trip to the beach to keep your dog from picking up dangerous wildlife.
Guard against the elements. Just like you check to see if pavement is too hot for your dog’s feed, check to see if the sand is too hot. If need be, get your pup booties to prevent burns. Even though your pup may enjoy romping through the water — or maybe even surfing like Ricochet — keep him hydrated on shore. “Don’t let your dog drink salt water from the ocean. It can make them very sick,” said Fridono. “Bring plenty of fresh water, and make sure they drink it.”
You and your dog can have a blast at the beach this summer as long as you take a few safety precautions. The bottom line, according to Fridono: “Make sure you keep an eye on your dog at all times. It only takes a second for an accident to happen.”
SUMMER FUN! SUMMER FUN! SUMMER FUN!
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WAITING FOR?
NEW toys for dogs!
NEW toys for cats!
NEW apparel for dogs!
NEW carriers!
NEW collars and leashes!
NEW harnesses!
NEW treats!
NEW bird food!
NEW fish flakes!
NEW “Rescue Remedy” for pets with travel anxieties!
NEW “Denta Treat”!
NEW “Isle of Dog” shampoos and conditioners –used by professional show dog groomers around the country!
And much, much more!
Also, check out the new cat food selection from Wellness –Lexie, our store cat is crazy about all flavors!
And, as always, you will receive 10% OFF any full case of cat or dog food -no brand excluded!!
Happy 4th of July to You and Your Pets!
ASPCA, July 1, 2011
Pet Parents, Prepare for the Fireworks!
Boom! It’s that time of year again—BBQ, sunscreen and fireworks. Unfortunately, these holiday light shows are no blast for many pets. In fact, the sound of fireworks, even small ones, can terrify your dog. In some cases it may even cause hearing damage—dogs’ hearing can be 10 times more sensitive than humans’. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to help your dog get through the Independence Day festivities.
- Keep them home. Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them. The best option is to leave your pup indoors in a safe, secure, escape-proof room. Do not leave pets outside, even in a fenced yard, anytime fireworks might be set off.
- Make it comfy! Set up a comfy bed, food and water. Consider leaving a TV or radio on to drown out the sound of the fireworks and to provide familiar noises. And keep the windows and curtains closed to help muffle the noise and block bursts of light.
- Use Proper I.D. Make sure your pooch is wearing correct identification and tags just in case he or she becomes scared and runs away from home. Microchipping also is a great precaution.
- Keep the goodies at bay! Keep your pet away from used and unused fireworks, as well as alcoholic beverages, human foods and other Fourth of July treats since many of these items can be harmful.
For our full list of holiday precautions, visit our Fourth of July Safety Tips!
Desperately Seeking Loving Home!
Please help find Tai a new home. He’s a Taiwanese Mountain Dog, about 5
years old and 30 pounds. He needs a quiet loving home where he is the
only dog and no small children. He is obedient, doesn’t chew on
furniture or pee in the house. He is not a guard dog.
He does have some fear aggression (typical for this type of dog). It is
not a huge issue, but he is aggressive towards other dogs.
Here is more info on the breed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formosan_Mountain_Dog
Photo is attached, he is hanging out at work 🙂
Astoria Kibble 