Raw Food Diets

As many of you know, I am a strong proponent of giving your dogs as much of a raw food diet as your time and money permits. While my girls don't get the special treats that Emily did when she was my only pooch, they do get regular beef shin bones which is fantastic for their teeth, coats and general good health.

But I would like to share some other books that I have enjoyed that give the ins and outs of raw food diets.

"Work Wonders--Feed Your Dogs Raw Meaty Bones" by Tom Lonsdale is a concise and informative source that discusses everything from getting started to resources, sample menus and diseases you want to recognize and avoid. Dr. Lonsdale is a veterinary surgeon trained in London, England who lives in Australia.

His website: www.rawmeatybones.com is an up to date version of his book.


"Natural Health for Dogs and Cats" by Richard and Susan Pitcairn is about more than raw food diets but has several chapters devoted to this topic. They also talk about lifestyle tips, holistic alternatives, caring for a sick animal and how to choose a healthy pet. Part 2 of the book is a quick reference guide for every ailment from abscesses to worms. Again, with a natural/holistic approach to pet care.

The back of the book has a first aid section for emergencies, references for supplies and holistic organizations and several pages of recipes.

The third book is 'Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats' by Kymythy R Schultze. The author is a certified Clinical Nutritionist and edits the Holistic Dog and Cat Newsletter. Again, her advise is written from a purely natural and holistic perspective.

Kymyrhy has an extensive holistic resource guide in the back of her book, an entire chapter of actual testimonials from her patients and students and additional chapters on pregnancy, puppies and kittens, senior citizens and foods to avoid as well as those on natural nutrition.

If any readers has other books they like on this topic or any dog care topic please let us know.

And, if you have reviewed any in your blogs let me know and I will link my readers to you.

Summer Musings

Where has the summer gone? Part of it disappeared early April when my dear husband took a tumble and ruptured his Achilles Tendon. Three months later and he and I are just getting back on track. Hope to bring you all up to speed on all things canine in the next month and stay tuned for our precious Havanese, Phoebe's, first litter this Fall.

Skunk Smell Remedy

Got Skunked?

Go to this link which offers a simple and sure fire remedy to remove the smell...and save your tomato juice for Bloody Marys!!!

http://home.earthlink.net/~skunkremedy/home/

Shea's The Clone of His Papa

Just thought you might want to know what Shea will look like when he grows up. This is his Papa, Strider and Shea is his spittin' image.

The cuddly lover still needs a home!

First Snow

Here are the photos of fun in the sun...er snow!

And Then There Were Two

I am so thrilled with the families that have adopted pups from our latest litter. For the first time most of Emily's pups will be right here in Michigan. Riordon will be travelling the farthest. He is headed to Toronto today. I miss them all and am thankful for my manic photograph sessions that I can look at and remember each pup.

Shea and Kane have yet to find their forever homes...for pretty random reasons but mostly because they are boys and we had a LOT of boys in this bunch...6. Anyway they are two very beautiful black and white boys who resemble their daddy quite a bit. They are relatively quiet...as quiet as puppies can be. And, Kane in particular, is very curious. They love to play with each other and will entertain themselves, and during my weaker moments me.

Thankfully, they are almost completely housebroken. They have a very predictable routine and when I stick to it (difficult sometimes during the holidays) they never mess inside. Pretty good for 10 week olds!

I'm posting photos for everyone to enjoy!

Help in the Kitchen...pix and video!

The puppies played in the snow today for the first time...wish I had my camera. Will get some pix later today. We have found wonderful homes for six puppies and are looking for two more for Shea and Kane, both black and white males. They are both very energetic...what puppy isn't?
Kane is unabashedly curious and a tad devious! Shea is more affectionate...will let me hold him indefinately!

Chocolate and Dogs

The November 2008 National Geographic Magazine online has a chart to help you know how dangerous the amount of chocolate your dog ingested can be for him. It has categories for several kinds of chocolate as well as the weight of your pet. It is very user friendly. Thought you all might be interested.

You can access the chart with the following link:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/10/pets/chocolate-chart-interactive.html

Dog lover's link

This is darling... it's a video where the dog follows your commands! Try typing sit, roll over, down, stand, sing, dance, shake, fetch, play dead, sneeze and (keep this until last) kiss. Even my dogs loved it!


http://www.idodogtricks.com/index_flash.html