Black dogs and cats make great pets!

July 8, 2014September 29, 2014Pet information

While many cultures consider black cats and dogs to be good luck, many Americans shun them. The myths that black cats cause bad luck or black dogs are scary and dangerous sit deep in people’s minds, and black pets are euthanized at much higher rates than cats and dogs with other colors.

The ones who are adopted generally have to wait longer for their homes than pets with other colors.

To make matters worse for these hidden gems, their color makes them more difficult to catch on photos, and to see in shelters. Photos for websites such as PetFinder are generally taken by shelter volunteers, and while it is easy to get a good picture of a white, yellow, or brown cat or dog, even professional photographers can have problems catching expressions on a black pet’s face.

Once potential adopters arrive to the shelter, darker-haired doggies gets lost in the shadows. Some shelters are training black dogs to sit in front of the kennels during visiting hours, so they’ll have a chance to be seen.

Whatever the mix of bias and bad luck might be, black dogs and cats make wonderful pets. If you’re thinking of adopting a new best friend, don’t forget to look for them!

If you have a black pet, you can help other black pets by proudly demonstrating there’s nothing wrong with them. Show your love and tell people about the problems black cats and dogs encounter. The “black dog syndrome” is generally unconscious, and once people are aware of it, they move past it.

Dog breeds with best sense of smell

July 7, 2014September 29, 2014Pet information

The Beagle is amongst the dogs with best sense of smell.

A dog’s sense of smell far surpasses a human’s. But, have you ever wondered which breeds have the best sense of smell? Here is the top five breeds for detecting scents:

1. Most people would probably answer Bloodhound, famous from many movies and cartoons where they track scents for miles. A Bloodhound has 300 million scent receptors, which is far more than any other breed. These dogs can follow a scent on the ground, and also air scent. This is one of the oldest breeds that hunt by scent, and Bloodhounds are indeed used by law enforcement. Their work is so accurate that evidence trailed by Bloodhunds has been accepted in courts.

2. The Basset Hound is often considered the second best in scenting ability. These dogs are built to follow a scent trail, and have a phenomenal sense of smell.

3. The Beagle comes in as favorite on many types of dog breed lists, and they also have an excellent nose. These cheerful little dogs have as many scent receptors as the much larger German Shepherds, and can follow both air and ground scents. Beagles are often used as detector dogs for narcotics and agriculture. The USDA Beagles have a 90 percent success rate and can recognize around 50 distinct odors.

4. German Shepherds might not be the first breed that comes to mind when discussing sense of smell; they’re more known as police and military dogs. However, their keen sense of smell is one of the properties making them so well suited for these lines of work. They have around 225 million scent receptors and are excellent at air-scenting. That means that a German Shepherd can track a human scent carried by the wind. They are often used as tireless Search and Rescue dogs, bomb detectors, and narcotics trackers.

5. Labrador Retrievers also come to mind when talking about working dogs. Their sensitive noses made them great for Search and Rescue, drug, and bomb detection. Labradors are sometimes trained to detect cancer from a patient’s breath.

Looking for a dog breed that won’t shed?

July 7, 2014September 29, 2014Pet information

Xoloitzcuintli — While even “hairless” breeds technically shed to some extent, many breeds shed so little it’s virtually impossible to notice.

If you have a dog, he or she will shed. Surprisingly, this is true for many “hairless” breeds as well. When looking at a Chinese Crested or other hairless breed they don’t seem to have much to shed, but they still have some coat. If shedding is an issue for whatever reason, there are breeds that shed very little, and you might want to look into the dogs on our handy list.

Though the following breeds shed very little, many still require regular grooming.

The Yorkshire Terrier appears to have lot of hair to leave around the house, but they shed little. These are large dogs in small packages, and most of them love to explore. They’re generally curious, energetic, and have big personalities.

Another great little breed with big personality is the Border Terrier. They are affectionate, learn easily, active, and love to exercise. If you want a friend to bring on adventures, a Border Terrier might be your perfect companion.

Poodles are intelligent dogs and often battle the Border Collie for top position on lists with intelligent breeds. Poodles shed next to nothing, and are easier to handle than Border Collies, so this can be a great choice for someone wanting a smart companion.

The Bichon Frise is a cute and cheerful breed that sheds next to nothing. They’re small but harry, and love to be active and play. Many people allergic to other breeds do well with a Bichon Frise.

The wire-haired or smooth varieties of Dachshunds also shed little. They can be a bit stubborn, but have a convenient size, do well in apartments, and are fun and playful dogs.

On the somewhat larger side, the Portuguese Water Dog is known for being loyal and athletic. This is a breed that requires lots of exercise, and a Portuguese Water Dog can be a perfect companion for an active family.

Famous dogs: Bullseye

July 5, 2014September 29, 2014Pet information

Bullseye is the official mascot of Target, usually shown with the Target Corporation’s bullseye logo painted around the left eye. The Bull Terrier is featured in many commercial campaigns, on signs through the stores, on the company website, and can often be seen on TV-commercials. They also have a stuffed toy of Bullseye to give out at special events, and for employee recognition.

The mascot was first shown in 1999, and was portrayed by English Bull Terrier Arielle. Viewers instantly fell in love with the character, and in 2006 Bullseye became the second dog ever to have a likeness displayed in Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.

While the character Bullseye is male, the current actor is female. Her name is Nikki and she lives with her owner and training at Worldwide Movie Animals.

Bull Terriers were bred to be companion dogs, and the breed is known to be loving, friendly, and patient. They’re considered one of the best breeds with children.

Dog drove owner to the store?

July 4, 2014July 18, 2014Pet information

Police officers have probably heard it all, but a Georgia Sheriff was served a new story when he rescued a dog from a hot car the other day. According to Fox 6 Now, Sheriff Sgt. Partain responded to a call about a dog locked in a car, rescued the pup, and went to look for the owner.

The car’s driver was highly intoxicated, and claimed the dog had driven him to the store to buy corn. Supposedly the pooch waited patiently to drive him back home again. The man was arrested and has been charged with animal cruelty as well as driving under the influence, and the dog is resting with animal control.

Moral of the story? Police officers do not give points for creativity. And, as comical as this story might seem, don’t leave pets or children in cars.

Keep your pets safe during the holiday celebrations

July 4, 2014September 30, 2014Pet information

Happy 4th of July! This is a wonderful holiday, and here are some tips to keep your family together. Everyone should be happy and safe, right!

With 4th of July comes celebrations, fireworks, and firecrackers. While all this can be great fun for humans, pets are generally less impressed. They don’t associate the flashes, noise, and smell of fireworks with something happy; most pets are very afraid of fireworks and many panic and run.

Every year on July 5th, animal shelters drown in pets that panicked and fled. They can’t find their way home, many are injured, and some die.

During holidays such as 4th of July, keep your pets inside, and keep an eye on them every time someone opens a door to the outside.

They might bolt through a crack in the door. Even if your dog is used to hanging out in the yard on their own, keep them indoors. They can hurt themselves, break restraints, and jump fences in an attempt to find safety from the scary bangs.

Naturally, don’t leave your pet in the car, and don’t bring them the fireworks displays.

Make sure your pet has proper ID. They should carry a tag with their name and your phone number, and they should be microchipped.

Summer safety tips for pets

July 3, 2014September 30, 2014Pet information

Most Chinese Crested require a medium PlexiDor dog door, but small individuals can get by with a small PlexiDor dog door — Hairless breeds such as Chinese Crested need to use sunscreen in summer. Be careful not to use human products as they can be toxic to dogs.

With summertime, holidays, and nice weather comes barbecues and other outdoors activities. It’s great to have pets join in, and some easy precautions can make the season safer for them.

Mosquitos are not just annoying; they’re dangerous. Dogs and cats should be on proper heart worm preventatives. Pets can get West Nile virus that is transmitted from mosquitos, and even if the disease generally isn’t deadly to them it’s still unpleasant. There is special insect repellents for pets. Never use insect repellents meant for humans on a pet.

Many use citronella-baed insect repellants, such as candles, oils, and similar. While these are great for keeping bugs away, they should be at a distance from pets. Inhaling the smoke can lead to pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. A pet accidentally eating them can harm their nervous system.

Pets can get overhead and/or get sunburn, and on hot days they should be indoors or at least in the shade. If your pet is with you in the sun, make sure they’re not overheating. Some breeds, such as Chinese Crested and other hairless dogs, have extra sensitive skin and should wear sunblock. Never use sunblock intended for humans; many kinds are toxic to dogs.

Never give pets alcoholic beverages. Even beer is toxic to them. Allowing a dog to drink beer or anything else with alcohol can lead to coma and in worst case scenario death.

Innovative adoption campaign with 100 percent success rate

July 2, 2014July 18, 2014Pet information

Many campaigns that raise awareness for shelter animals or attempt to influence adoption are utterly depressing. How many people have cried to the ASPCA commercials showing sad puppies and kittens in cages set to heartbreaking music? The Human Walking Program in Melbourne Australia tried the opposite approach.

Sad humans working all day clearly needed rescuing. Happy dogs came along, ready for funfilled walks in the park. The project put up posters around the city, showing sad humans in office environments. “For 9 hours a day he is kept in a tiny box. And ignored. He needs to go walkies.”

The result? Astounding success. The campaign led to a 100 percent adoption rate.

Barry, a four-legged legend

July 1, 2014September 30, 2014Pet information

Most people in the USA probably haven’t heard about Barry, but his story is fascinating. He was a St. Bernard that lived 200 years ago at the famous hospice on St. Bernard Pass. Myths declare that he saved at least 40 people during his working years.

The hospice resides 2,500 meters above sea level, and has been run since the 11th century. The St. Bernard pass is dangerous at the best of times, and the dogs served an invaluable function in finding the way home even in blizzards. During 200 years, at least 2,000 people were saved by the hospice.

Barry was born in the year 1800, and has inspired countless myths. Some claim he even rescued a child on his own and carried the boy to safety on his back.

He was clearly special even during his lifetime, because spent his last years in Bern, in retirement, and was preserved after his death.

Today, there’s a Barry exhibition at the Natural History Museum in Bern. He looks a bit different from St Bernards of today. The breed went nearly extinct during the 19th century, and the remaining dogs were bred with Newfoundlands in an effort to save the St Bernard. This changed the build of the dogs and resulted in a much longer coat. While the effort to save the breed was successful, it also changed them to the point where they were no longer able to rescue people in the mountains.

Barry has also given name to the Fondation Barry du Grand Saint Bernard, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of St. Bernard dogs.

Desensitize your dog to fireworks

June 30, 2014September 30, 2014Pet information

Many dogs suffer a fear of fireworks, and with the upcoming holiday it’s extra important to know about this, protect the dogs, and prepare them the best we can. Even a confident dog can be terrified by the loud and unpredictable noises and bright lights.

Pets should be kept indoors during 4th of July and other firework-holidays. There are some things we can do to help them manage the fireworks. The fear might never disappear completely, but we can make it easier.

Find a video of fireworks and play it on lowest possible volume a few times during the day. While you play it, give your dogs treats, cuddle, and play. You want doggie to connect the sound with positive things.

During the course of a few days, increase the volume slowly. Keep doing fun stuff every time you play it.

If your dog shows fear at any time when you play the video, turn the volume back down and keep the positive reinforcement with play and treats.

It might take time, but eventually your dog should be able to hear the sound at a fairly loud volume without being afraid.

Desensitizing takes time, and it doesn’t always make the fear go away. Keep your pets inside. Try to drown out the sound the best you can, and allow him or her to hide. Pulling them out or trying to coax them can reinforce the fear. Also, don’t coddle the dogs when they show fear; acting naturally shows there’s no danger.

Some dogs have severe firework phobia, and in these cases you should discuss the problem with your veterinarian. There are anti-anxiety medications that can help your pet get through the holiday.

Adopted puppy saves family from gas leak

June 29, 2014July 18, 2014Pet information

When the McLarty family decided to adopt a puppy from the Michigan Humane Society, they could never imagine how quickly the little dog would return the favor and save their lives.

The three-month old husky mix had only been with the family for two weeks when he woke the household up with his crying. His new human mom took him outside, but he kept on crying, and when they came in he ran circles in the hallway before leading her to the kitchen. There, he sat next to the stove until she looked at it.

One of the gas burners was on, without a flame, leaking gas into the house.

Service dog calls 911 and saves owner’s life

June 29, 2014July 18, 2014Pet information

Dogs can be taught to perform remarkable feats, something recently proven by Major, a Labrador/Pit Bull mix who works as service dog for a war veteran. When his human suffered a seizure, Major didn’t waste any time. He pulled the phone out of his owner’s pocket and called for help.

The phone is set up for quick dial of 911, and Major could call the number through stepping on the screen. Unfortunately dogs still can’t talk, so he called several times and dispatchers eventually sent help. When medics arrived, Major waited in front of the house.

Major is specially trained to help his owner who suffers PTSD and was injured by a bomb in Afghanistan. To read more about this and see images of Major, visit dogchannel.com.

Blind dog gets vision back and can see his family

June 27, 2014July 18, 2014Pet information

Duffy is an Irish Terrier who lost his vision because of diabetes. He went from a happy and normal dog to completely blind within a few months and had problems adjusting.

Duffy ran into things, couldn’t recognize his humans, and when his diabetes became stable enough for surgery, the family decided to take the chance. Luckily, the surgeons succeeded, and the family filmed being reunited with him. The video has gone viral and has 4,5 million views this far.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og1nMDl1K7g

Is a cat cafe coming to a city near you?

June 27, 2014September 30, 2014Pet information

Cat cafés are wildly popular in parts of Asia, and the trend is spreading across the globe. The first cat cafe in the USA has opened in New York, and more are expected in San Francisco and Oregon later this year.

So, what is a cat cafe?

It is a loneliness-curing, stress-relieving cafe with cats.

The first cat cafe started in Taiwan over ten years ago, and the concept quickly spread to Japan where inhabitants embraced it. Today, Japan has at least 150 cat cafes.

These establishments are so popular that visitors have to book seats in advance. When Dinah’s Cat Emporium opened in London, 20,000 people water to enter a 30-seat cafe. They are booked until fall this year.

Many people in cities aren’t able to keep pets, but the human species still has an urge to be close to animals. The cat cafes offer a chance to sit down, relax, talk to other people who like cats, and maybe even pet one.

What do you think? Would you visit a cat cafe?

Pets are good for the health

June 26, 2014September 30, 2014Pet information

Everyone with a cat or dog knows they’re great company. Many pet owners see their furry friends as family members, and they make great snuggle-buddies. Did you know that they add other health benefits to human lives?

Cats and dogs protect children against developing allergies

This is particularly true for cats. A child under the age of one living with two or more cats or dogs has a smaller risk of developing allergies as he or she grows up. Living with pets is good for the human immune system.

Cats and dogs reduce stress in our lives

Petting a cat or dog has been shown to lower blood pressure and help humans relax. Pets have a knack for knowing when they’re needed, and even the most elusive kitty tends to show up when their human needs a friendly ear. Pet owners also adapt better to stressful situation than people without pets. And if anyone doubts the benefit of a dog, consider all the therapy and emotional support dogs that help people cope with everything from depression to post traumatic stress disorder.

Dogs keep us fit

The average American without a dog moves significantly less than the average dog owner. Daily walks, exercising, and playing with a dog helps us stay in shape, keep a healthy weight, and lessens the risk for health problems.

Pets give healthy hearts

The American Heart Association recently reported that pets help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Pet owners who suffer a heart attack recover quickly than people without pets. They also help lower cholesterol.

Pets improve our social lives

Walking a dog inspires conversations with other pet owners, neighbors, and strangers out for a stroll. Meeting new people and getting to know those around us battles isolation, loneliness, and depression.