The 5 – finger pick up is… using all five of your fingers inside a plastic bag to pick up your dog’s feces, uhmm poop. Well, it is steaming when it first hits the dirt, and well, you do have to pick it up. Oh come on, don’t tell me you haven’t heard of this! OK, let’s suppose you haven’t. In that case, you might not know that it is required by city, county and state to pick up after your dog. Your cat too, if you take him out for a walk on the leash. (In case you’re really out of the loop, a leash is required for your dog, too.)

Now don’t get me wrong, it is exciting to pick up your dog’s feces. You have to control your dog, prevent him/her from stepping in it while you also try to avoid stepping in it. You have to get your bag out and still pick it up. But, don’t be so hard on yourself. Just slip all five fingers into the bag, pick up the entire poop and turn the bag inside out over the poop! Of course for a big dog you might need to try the ten finger pick up, that is, use both hands in the bag while you hold the leash with your knees. I’m sure it makes quite a sight from the rear!

But why you may ask do you need to pick up feces, out where so few wander. Well for one thing, more and more people are wandering there and they don’t want to step in it. For another thing, since you should always be on a designated trail, there is an increased chance of stepping in it once again. Finally, it is a health hazard to the native wildlife. The most dangerous thing is the domesticated diseases our dogs get, can infect the coyotes. Even a dog that has just had its vaccinations can slough off the virus in it’s feces for 5 to ten days, depending on the dog (and the veterinarian you question). So please, do the wildlife a favor even if you don’t care about fellow trail users.

Now to make this game even more exciting, make it a challenge like I do. That is when my dog does his thing; I look around and see if there is any other poop or garbage I can pick up to add to the poop bag. I give myself bonus points if the bag is completely full before I tie a knot in it. Believe me; you want to leave enough room to tie a knot in the end of the bag. Even if you can handle the odor, the people who have to walk by you may not be so forgiving. My dogs and I have made a great game of this. They always try to hold it until after we pass all garbage cans and still have a mile to go. I always make them wait while I pick up every poop and piece of garbage I can find near the, ahem, bomb site. I’m sure they’re thinking, “I put it there for a reason, can’t you leave it alone!” Well, happy, uhmm, hunting!

In Case Of Accidental Injury or Death

To Whom It May Concern:

In the event that I, ___________________________________________________, or my spouse, ______________________________________________________, am (are) incapacitated or killed and unable to make my wishes known regarding my dog(s), _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________,

Please honor the following requests:

• ______________________________________________ is to be contacted as soon as possible at __________________________________________________ (day time phone) or _______________________________________ (night time phone) to care for my dog(s) until final arrangements can be made.
• If my primary contact person cannot be reached, please contact the following persons in the order listed until someone can take the dog(s). __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
• All expenses incurred by party assisting me for my dog(s) will be paid for by the above contacts who will be reimbursed by me, my spouse, my family or my estate.
• If my dog(s) are injured, I give permission to my contact people to take my dog(s) to the veterinarian for immediate care. My dog(s) veterinarian is: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
• Present this form to my (or other) veterinarian to guarantee payment from me, my spouse, my family or my estate for any costs incurred while caring for my dog(s).
• If another veterinarian must be used, I prefer they contact my dog(s) veterinarian (listed above) regarding decisions on the dog(s) care and treatment.
• If my dog(s) are injured to the extent that they are in extreme pain and it is questionable if care will save them or if they are injured beyond any hope of recovery, I give my permission to humanely euthanize my dog(s) and cremate their remains.
• Photos and descriptions of my dog(s) are attached as well as health care information.
• If my dog(s) are missing from the vehicle, please contact the persons above to care for my dog(s) in my home. If it appears my dog(s) were in the vehicle and ran away, please try to find them and post a reward for them of a non-disclosed amount to be guaranteed by myself, my spouse, my family or my estate. My contacts will know how much to pay for the reward.
• The welfare of my dog(s) is my primary consideration. Please do all you can to insure my dog(s) comfort, safety and security.

Owner’s Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Daytime: ________________________________________________________

Phone Evening: ________________________________________________________

Phone Cell/Mobile: ____________________________________________________

Owner’s Signature: _____________________________________________________

Spouse’s Signature: ____________________________________________________

Date of Document: ___________________________________

Witnessed by: _________________________________________________________

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine eggs, oil and pumkin in a food processor or blender. Mix dry ingredients together then add to pumkin mixture. Blend until smooth. Stir in the cranberries.

Lightly grease mini-muffin tins (OK to line with paper cups but can be a waste of paper!) Bake for 15 minutes.

Cool muffins completely before storing in container or Ziplock bag. OK to freeze. Makes about 30 to 36 muffins depending on size.
–variations–

If your dog can handle sweeteners (sugars) you can put 1/4 cup honey and reduce oil to 1/4 cup.

Different flavors; substitute 1/4 cup molasses (which is high in B vitamins) and reduce oil to 1/4 cup but change oil to pumpkin oil.

Change cranberries to dried blueberries for a completely different taste.

It is OK to substitute different flours for Amaranth. Try Spelt flour or Oat flour instead of white or wheat flours.

This recipe is good enough that my husband eats the muffins! Of course the dogs look hurt when he does so he feels guilty about it!

Put dissolved powdered milk and margarine in large mixing bowl, mix in peanut butter. Add oats, egg and carrots, mixing with an electric mixer (dough hook works best). Add flour 1 c. at a time until you reach biscuit dough consistency.

On floured surface, roll dough out to ¼” – ½“ thickness. Use cookie cutters or biscuit cutter to make cookies. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 320* for 50 to 60 minutes.

-OR-

Roll 1 ½” balls in your hands and drop onto cookie sheet, proceed as above increasing cooking time slightly.

Store in zip lock type bag in the fridge for short term, freezer for long term, these have no preservatives so may mold if left out for more than a day or two.

1 large baked sweet potato mashed up

1 can of tuna in water, with the water

2 c. flour

pinch of sea salt

Roll out between sheets of parchment paper then bake on one sheet of parchment paper;
350* for 40 min.

Cut with scissors when cool. Makes about 100 bite size treats.YUM

Thank you Betty!
–

betty i.
www.webcanine.com
Information for people
who care for dogs.

Remember that a treat only needs to be a “taste” on your dog’s tongue. Do not overfeed your dog with treats! Cut these treats up into 1/4 inch cubes (even if you have a very large dog) and smaller if you have a tiny dog! You can try these treats with your cats, too!

Everyone enjoys the holidays, from Christmas, New Years through Fourth of July, and Halloween including your Pets, but the holiday decorations and foods can be deadly for your cat and/or dog. Here are 12 tips to help you make the holidays safer for your pets.

1. • Bright lights, Christmas and now Fourth of July and Halloween have bright lights hanging around windows and trees that pets can become tangled up in and choke or the pet may pull the lights down and become trapped in the cords or the tree. Look at the placement of decorative lights to prevent such accidents. Wrap light cords around the base of the tree to reduce entanglement hazard. Another hazard may occur when a pet is in a chewing stage where they may try to chew the cord and/or extension cord with the lights and become a victim to 110 volt electrocution that is often times fatal. Take the time to conceal all cords or tape them to the ground so curious pets are not able to get to the electrical cords.
2. • Christmas Trees are unstable unless they are secured at the top and the bottom so that no pet can knock the tree over. Fallen trees can be a fire hazard or break windows. Another solution is to place a tree on top of a table away from dogs wagging tails. Just make sure the tree is well anchored so jumping pets do not succeed in knocking the tabletop tree over.
3. • Tree and cut flower water is another hazard for pets. Most companies sell additives to put in the water to prolong the life of the cut tree/flower. That additive is often something that can make your pet sick or fatally poison them. Use just plain water with some clear soda pop added for freshness. Your pet may still drink it but won’t become poisoned. Better yet, place such decorations in areas that your pet is not able to access.
4. • Fire hazards can come from candles and fire places. Do not place candles in areas that cats can knock them over or swing a tail into and catch their tail on fire. Don’t let anyone put a candle low enough that a dog can hit with their tail or jump up onto by a couch. Buy a sturdy fire screen for your fireplace to keep your pets away from the flames and to keep them from becoming curious about the embers and coals that can burn the pets’ paws or from eating the ashes and becoming sick.
5. • Plants such as Mistletoe, Holly, Poinsettias, Ornamental Pepper, Christmas Rose or Herbs such as Thyme and Nutmeg (in large quantities) are poisonous to pets. Although some pets may have chewed on a plant and not shown any adverse reaction another pet may chew the same plant and become extremely sick or even die. If you must have such plants in your home be sure to place them in areas the pet cannot reach. Do not leave herbs in areas that young pets may get into and try to eat.
6. • Decorations such as tinsel, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, garlands, and strings of cranberries or popcorn can cause choking, internal injuries, emergency surgeries for intestinal blockages and other digestive problems if swallowed. The only safe avenue is to prevent problems by keeping such items away from curious puppies and kittens. Teach pets to leave such things alone by saying “uh, uh” every time the pet tries to sniff any of these items.
7. • Glass ornaments hanging from trees, crystal bowls filled with candy, hurricane lamps and/or statues on shelves can cause severe cuts to paws if knocked on the ground where broken shards can be stepped on. Some curious pets try to eat anything including glass which can cause a trip to the emergency room to repair cut tongues, esophagus’s, stomachs, intestines as the glass travels the digestive track. Animals can die from eating such items. Never leave glass in areas that your pets could get into and knock over or eat.
8. • Gifts wrapped up and left under the tree or gifts for a birthday may contain food or something else that smells interesting to your pets. Do not leave such gifts out where pets can get into them and tell family and friends to give you some type of warning when a gift is NOT pet safe! It is better to spoil a surprise than have to take a pet to the emergency room!
9. • Alcoholic beverages left in glasses on coffee tables smell sweet to pets. It is better to leave your pets in a room away from a party so the pets will not be able to get into an unattended alcoholic beverage. Be sure to clean the area of any drink glasses before you let your pet out and it never hurts to explain to your guests that glasses need to be kept out of reach of animal noses. The owner is the final protector of the pet and will need to monitor guests who may think it is funny to give a pet a “sip” of a drink. Never feel bad about keeping your pet safe!
10. • Chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, onions and other foods are poisonous for dogs and cats. Sweeteners such as Xylitol are also deadly to dogs. Do not let any poisonous foods be within nose reach of your pets. Closely monitor children who may think they want to “share” their holiday treats with the pets. Explain that pets are different from us and they can NOT eat all the same things that we do. Sometimes adults need to have some instruction on food safety as well!
11. • Noise makers, loud music and firecrackers are hazardous to your pets in a different way. Some pets are nervous about loud noises and may become so disoriented and scared that when they are startled by a loud noise they will bolt. When an animal is scared their survival instinct will kick in telling them to run away from that noise. No matter how much you call them they will not respond because their hearing has shut down and their only thought is to run as fast as they can. Once the adrenaline has stopped they will start looking around but the pet has usually run so far and fast they are outside of their normal zone and are unable to find their way back. This is worse if you are visiting someone and your pet is in a totally new area. Keep your pet in a room with soft music playing to minimize fright from loud noises if you must be away from them during such times. If your pet has a panic attack during such celebratory times then you should speak to your veterinarian about having a sedative on hand to give your pet before the firecrackers go off! It is helpful to seek a behaviorist to help with desensitizing techniques but keep in mind that you need to allow weeks of training before the pet will get better.
12. • Be careful about your garbage. Pets that have never gotten into the garbage before will be tempted to when there is interesting, tantalizing odors from a garbage bag. Take extra care to wrap up items such as turkey laces, bones, drippings from any meats and wrappers from food packaging. Putting such things in an extra bag and then making sure to take the bag of garbage out to the dumpster before you go to bed will help keep your pets safe. Take one more precaution for the stray animals and wildlife in your area by making sure your garbage dumpster is animal proof. You may just prevent a stray or wild animal from getting in to it and possibly dying.

By taking a few extra precautions before the holiday starts and then supervising closely during the festivities, you and your pets should be able to have a fun holiday time.

Happy Howl-idays!

Meanwhile, mix:

2 beaten eggs
2 C. shredded mozzarella

Add the blended meat to this.

Add enough flour until a cookie dough consistency by mixing with a heavy spoon or fork.

Divide into 2 large balls of dough and roll each one out between two pieces of parchment paper,
cook on cookie sheet with one piece of parchment paper on the bottom. (no cover on the top).

Bake 350 for about 20 min or until turning brown at edges and melting the cheese.

cool then cut with scissors into small treat sized bites. keep in refrigerator in a baggie or container.

–
betty i. and Sadik, Rhett, Hoover and Qwisp
www.webcanine.com
information for people
who care for dogs.

 
Mix all ingredients well.  Bake 350 in greased muffin tin about 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Makes 12
(1/2 recipe makes 24 mini muffins – Bake 20 minutes)
 

From Cheryl, Tilly & Tank

In a word…plenty! There is a lot of truth to the statement that a good dog is a tired dog. All dogs benefit from exercise. Even elderly dogs need to get up and move. But not all dogs need the same amount of exercise. For instance, veterinarians suggest that the constant pounding of running is too hard on a puppy’s underdeveloped joints, so wait until your puppy is older than one year of age to take him jogging or running with you. To get a better idea of the type and amount of exercise your dog needs, talk to your veterinarian, who can help you develop an exercise plan suited to your dog’s age, size, and breed. A good rule of thumb is to exercise your puppy’s body to the point that he is tired and slightly panting. Next provide mental exercise for the puppy’s mind. When he wants to take a nap, he’s had enough!

Next, what breed is the best choice for your situation?

TV shows, web sites, books and magazines are helpful in a general sense when you have a question, but if you have specific behavior problems occurring it is better to have a skilled behaviorist who can come to your home. If that’s not possible, you can take your dog to the behaviorist’s office or, at the very least; you can speak to the behaviorist on the phone. While email follow ups are quick and easy, a personal consultation in the beginning is the best choice when dealing with behaviors.  Investigate your choices before a behavior problem occurs. There is a difference between a behaviorist and a trainer but many trainers can refer you to behaviorists, and vice versa.

Where will the puppy/dog sleep at night?

An animal in unfamiliar surroundings may be frightened, especially one accustomed to sleeping in a crowd of other puppies who is now suddenly expected to sleep alone. Some breeders teach puppies to sleep alone in a crate, but that will not always happen. Better to have a plan before the puppy arrives than to scramble to come up with ways to calm a frightened animal. Keeping a crate in your bedroom so the puppy can hear you breathing will comfort and calm many puppies. This will also give you the convenience of hearing the puppy wake up and whimper to go out. Plan ahead. Be prepared for middle of the night puppy potty trips outside. Here’s a good tip: leave a coat by the door so you don’t freeze while you stand outside with your puppy!

Next question: How much exercise does a dog really need?