DO DOGS FEEL GRIEF? 
   

You bet they do!

I recently overheard two dog owners in the park  this week discussing whether or not dogs grieve when  a family member or another pet dies.

One lady said "Dogs don't really give a toss, as long as they get food, walks, treats and the occasional cuddle."  The other lady said that she had definitely seen evidence that dogs do grieve at the passing of a human or animal family member.

In my many years of involvement with dogs, I can categorically say that they DO have emotions. And yes, they do grieve the loss of someone close.  This heart breaking video  is  proof  enough that a  dog can be distraught at losing its owner.  This is just one of hundreds of video clips on the Internet showing dogs grieving for dead owners.  Others show them trying to revive their doggy friends who have died either through natural causes or in a road accident.

                                            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p69V7d5C-Q

Dogs that have  lost a doggy companion will show clear signs of emotional distress with a lack of appetite, aloof behaviour or by demanding an unusually high amount of cuddles and contact with you. They will lie on the floor, head in paws, just looking unbelievably sad. You would have to be a block of wood not to pick up the distress and feelings of sadness.

We forget that when a living animal relates to another for a long time,  they develop a close friendship, create habits together, routines that they share and a confidence, trust and familiarity as a duo. They may have started out hating each other but at the end they are as close as can be.

With the death of a companion, whether human or animal, its like having to get over an addiction of sorts, an ingrained habit that becomes very hard to break.

Dogs can't vocalise just how they feel but an intuitive, tuned in owner can many times pick up from the body language at just how much  mental anguish the animal  is going through.

Is there anything you can do to minimize and overcome the sadness for your dog? It may not always be possible to make things right for them but for a few weeks after the passing of a person or dog, its good to lavish extra cuddles on them, plenty of chats, long walks and games that will break the cycle of gloom and eventually help them to focus on you and getting on with life. Make grooming every day a part of the new routine as this helps them bond with you - and you with your dog - making the sadness become a thing of the past.

                            “If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face,
                             you should go home and examine your conscience.”
                                                ― Woodrow Wilson




And now for something less gloomy, here are two pitch perfect canine musicians playing The Flea Waltz

          http://www.viralviralvideos.com/2012/03/12/dogs-with-perfect-pitch-play-flea-waltz/


That's it for this week.  Have  an enjoyable one!

Dawn ("")

                                       Your dog’s star sign

If you know your dog’s sign you can see if they relate to any of these descriptions. However, there are so many mixtures of breeds nowadays that one particular star sign will not apply.  All these descriptions are a bit of fun and taken from my own personal observations.

ARIES DOGS:  A butch type, strong and full of energy. Motto is "Me First". and there will be no please about it.  Easily bored, they like  a challenge. Activities such as agility classes or playing frisbee is their thing. They appreciate going to new places and walks that gives them a chance to read new blog sites and pee mails.They tend to like to play alone or with you, rather than hang out with other dogs. Bit of a trail blazer. Once they pick up the scent of a fox, squirrel or cat, they are off into the unknown. A bit short tempered and often clumsy, banging into trees and other objects, or tripping over their own front paws.  Strong willed with a mind of their own.  Sometimes will dislike another dog for no reason and pick a fight. Intolerant of any other dogs and constantly tries to dominate other canines and humans.  Don’t sleep that much. Hates being ignored and can get grouchy when hungry. Houdini is their middle name and if you enclose them with fences and gates, you can be sure they will find a way out.  You worry that your pet is a  closet psychopath.

TAURUS DOGS: Ploddy. Salt of the earth types who are great with children, the elderly, small dogs and puppies. Doesn't mind having his ears and tailed pulled by human toddlers or puppies. Likes to sleep on your bed, or at least be as close as possible to you on the sofa. Slower and less energetic than most of the other dogs. It is not unusual to leave them in one place for hours and come back to find they havent moved an inch. Is not that keen on walks, especially in bad weather but prefers riding in the car with the window down. This dog will sit for hours listening to Beethoven, Elgar or Poochini in fact, anything soothing that calms the savage breast. Hates head banging or thumping heavy metal music played too loud. They will show their disapproval by covering their ears with their paws. Very loyal and a fervent sloppy kisser. Security is necessary in their life so if you start moving the furniture around in the home, it unsettles them and makes them very clingy. They then show their displeasure by peeing on the curtains and furniture.  Be prepared for the Taurus dog to sit and stare hungrily at the fridge until you get the message.

GEMINI DOGS:  Yappers for Europe.  Restless, versatile and attention seekers. Its me, me, me all the time.  This is the party animal of the zodiac world. Tarts of the park. They will often stick their bottoms in another dog's face. Learn tricks very fast. Selectively deaf and have the attention span of a flea. Get bored quickly and need to be entertained. If asked to undertake anything boring, they will suddenly be over come by nervous exhaustion, collapse into a shivery, twitching hyperventilating wreck that makes you think that something is seriously wrong. Curious about everything and in human terms would be considered the neighbourhood gossip and a curtain twitcher.  Has to know what is going on. They can charm the entire neighbourhood and have them wrapped around their dew claws.  Greet strangers like old friends. Tend to be very fickle about their ambitions. One minute they want that treat, then they don't, then they do. Real butterflies of the canine world. Love the company of humans and other dogs and the highlight of their lives is going for car rides. They love the wind in their hair, ears blowing back. Terrific liars and will swear blind that you never fed them by constantly pushing an empty dish around noisily.


CANCER DOGS: Rather be at home than go to the park and run around. Shy and sensitive but often moody,  they require constant patting and praise until your throat is sore. They prefer home life to be calm and peaceful. The highlight of their day is for meal times and woe betide you if it is late.They will hassle you until they get it.  Real water pups, they will jump into any pool or  muddy puddle of water at every given opportunity. Have a terrific memory for people, doggy friends, where they last saw abandoned food and where the best places are for rolling in unspeakable things. Other dogs rely on them for gossip.   Quiet, likes to lie doggo and watch what is going on around them.  A tad lazy in social situations. They prefer other dogs to approach and sniff them rather than work at building up friendships. Will hide between your legs in strange situations. Often get put off if another dog snarls or growls at them. Quite wimpish in fact, if the truth were known.

LEO DOGS: These are the divas of the dog world. The Boss-dog. Show offs who love dressing up. Always happy and cheerful and good fun to have around. Love joining in games of charades at parties and tearing up wrapping paper. They have the best looks, glossiest coats and larger-than-life personalities.  Have to be the focus of attention and always bark "Look at me" if you are talking in someone! Defensive of you and the pack they hang around with.  Have to be the loudest in company.  Very energetic and playful. Good guard dogs. Enthusiastic about every activity. Loyal and trusting. A little clumsy when it comes to jumping around and tend to bowl everyone over. Thrive on constant praise. They make good Police or guard dogs but have one strange eccentricity ......he or she is often terrified of squirrels, cats and puppies.

VIRGO DOGS: A bit anal about their basket, their toys and their treats. Everything has to be neatly hidden. These are the hypochondriacs of the canine world. If one flea gets on them, they behave as though they are covered from head to toe and will scratch relentlessly or if they have a simple stomach upset, the Virgo dog will be certain that it has salmonella poisoning. Virgo dogs are usually the ones who will sit down if they have a dirty bottom or a twig attached somewhere on their fur.  They can't stand dirty paws.  Very obedient but very goody-two-shoes in company. Stay still when being groomed. Selfish when it comes to sharing toys or food with other dogs. Punctual about walkies so if you say "Five minutes", they are back within that time with their leads in their mouths and an intense stare that says "OK! time's up!" Love spending their time with you pottering in the garden, communing with nature as they pull up weeds and bulbs, chew leaves and generally wander in and out of flower beds making a mess. Adores poking around the shed because it is full of spiders and cobwebs.

LIBRA DOGS:  These are the shop stewards of the canine world. Their one purpose in life is to improve the lot of the working or owned dog. They will stand for less discipline, more food and a shorter working week.  Should you ask them to do anything during the evening hours, then double the biscuits rations, otherwise you will be ignored. They also believe in the "closed shop" policy. In other words, one house ... one dog. Usually the prettiest dogs in any pack with soft, endearing, limpid eyes. Refined, sophisticated and well mannered, a Libra dog will never let you down in company by sticking a cold nose into someone's crotch, scooting across a room with an itchy bum or licking their balls. Iffy little creatures who never know what they want. Offer them a treat and they are not sure if they want it until you give it to another dog. Then the facial expression is "But I wanted it!". Hates confrontation and gets nervous if harsh words are spoken by owner and other adults; will avoid fights with other dogs. You despair because you think your dog is a wimp. Ridiculously stubborn, if they don't want to go for walkies, then nothing short of dynamite will get them to move. Likes to lie down for half an hour doing nothing but glare at things. Hates being hurried.

SCORPIO DOGS: Give the impression of being butch. Strong silent, refined types but don't ever cross them because then its the two-eyes-for-one type of revenge.  Scorpio dogs will either be your best friend or your worst enemy. If they are ever wronged in anyway or treated well, they never forget. Stubborn. They need and demand 8 hours of sleep undisturbed and if that means settling into your favourite armchair then forget about moving them off. Can sleep for Europe and prefers his bed to be in a hidden recess or  corner. Wary of strangers. Stares at you disconcertingly sometimes, so that you end up shouting "What? what? What's your problem?" Very independent. Enigmatic. Noisy situations make them grumpy and they will always hide somewhere quiet if you have company. Very psychic and will often make it clear that "something is not right in the house." If you happen to be a nervous type of person, this could make you a neurotic mess every night. However, most of these invisible noises and beings being growled at are harmless ..... but, if they hide under the bed and are too scared to emerge, that is the time to call the Police.

SAGITTARIUS DOGS: Boundless energy. Tail is always set on permanent wag and a big grin on its face. Usually bounces off the walls with enthusiasm. Can destroy your things for no reason or just because boredom has set in. Barks constantly just to let the world know they are around. Brave and fierce. Don’t like to fight but gets cheesesd off if provoked. Strong willed and diffcult to bend to your will. Adores walkies any time of the day or night.  Great at digging holes in your vegetable patch or flower beds. Im afraid Saggy dogs are the problem characters in the star signs

CAPRICORN DOGS: A little selfish with food and toys (like Virgo). Quiet and serious. Sometimes ignore everything around them, including you.  Energy  levels lower than other dogs and a walk in the park can make them exhausted. Character wise, a bit boring and ploddy but very loyal and loving once they have chosen the person they want to spend their lives with. Sighing deeply is a speciality of the Capricorn dog. Can often be very aloof if they disapprove of what you are doing. These are the social climbers of the canine world. They are excellent at summing up human character with one glance and no amount of elocution lessons or learned deportment will fool this discerning doggie. If you are a phoney, they will suss you out instantly and show it by growling, much to the owner's embarrassment. Capricorn dogs can be infuriating as he or she forever lags behind doing their own thing and once it gets to the end of the walk, they go at a glacially slow pace. Getting them into the car take 20 minutes. They always find that final enticing smell at the very end of their walk.

AQUARIUS DOGS
Real flirts of the canine world and have a penchant for following any blondes (male or female).  Always have a twinkle in their eyes and love socialising.  Keen explorers, they often disappear and give their owners a heart attack when they can't be found.  Kind hearted to a fault, they will always offer a paw to a waif or stray and share their treats with them.  Love muddy puddles, water sprinklers, garden hoses, swimming pools and water of any kind. God help anyone who comes near them when they are shaking themselves dry.  Often pretend to be disinterested but get ecstatic when someone makes a fuss of them. Make terrific hospital visitors because they thrive on all the attention.
Aquarius dogs enjoy working in the entertainment field ......circus performer, television star, photographic model and may, at times appear to be more human than the canine in species.  This dog is happiest being part of a pack and doing things as a member of a gang.

PISCES DOGS
Sensitive, loving, generous to a fault, they fall in love with the nearest bruiser of a dog at the drop of a hat. They feel the need for protection from someone big, ugly and butch.
Love partying and the more dogs they meet, the happier they are.  Have a split personality. Always pulled in two directions at the same time.  Dimbo dogs, who never really know what they want, hardly know if they are coming or going ... or even been there already.  There are times when the sheer joy of life makes them happy and bouncy.  Often confused, it is not unusual to see a Pisces dog pacing between bed, water bowl, back door, or to be near you.  They love water especially a turned on hose, flushing the toilet,  or you taking a shower. Any puddle becomes a swimming gala.
Generally, a Pisces dog never sees the contrary patches and to him/her, life will be the proverbial "bed of roses".

                         "Dogs are not our whole life, but they do make our lives whole."
                                                                                                            - Roger Caras 

Nice clip of a dog actually enjoying playing pool.

                                                                     Pool playing dog


                                        That's it until the next blog.  

                                                        Dawn (.".")

  IS YOUR DOG A VICTIM OF WALKING DANDRUFF?

The next time your dog's coat looks dry, flaky and a tad manky - and it is constantly shaking its head,  scratching behind the ears with a hind leg that looks like a whirling propeller working overtime, pick up a magnifying glass and take a look at one of the flakes.  Dandruff doesn't move, but "walking dandruff", is the common name for a weeny, mobile parsite called Cheyletiella.  

This mite is the cause of walking dandruff, also called Cheyletiellosis. The unusual name comes from the motion of the visible mites, which makes the dandruff appear to "walk" on the infected individual. These "boochies" ( as my childhood african nanny used to  call anything creepy crawly), pretend to be flaky skin, They constantly move around the skin, searching for food - causing itchy, red patches on both you and your dog.

Walking dandruff isn't a serious problem but they do make the dog very itchy and they are contagious - to other pets and to humans.  Sometimes if left untreated, it will cause mange and bald patches on your dog.  Puppies seem to be the main carriers and if you have a puppy that you carry around, and suddenly get get itchy spots, then you too have picked up walking dandruff.  These days a good shower with a medicated body wash will get rid of it. In the old days you would have had to get a jab from a dermatologist.  I know, because I've been there!

OK but let's not panic! Walking dandruff isn't  life threatening nor difficult to treat and can be cleared up quickly by dunking the dog in a bath of shampoo containing Pyrethrin. Selsun shampoo is pretty effecive in killing off the mites. A good chemist will stock it. The online pet supplies www.MedicAnimal.co.uk and www.PetMeds.co.uk do sell a selection of Pyrethrin based shampoos.  Another very effective shampoo is Malaseb that you can get from the vet.

To avoid a recurrance, its best to give the carpets and furniture a thorough clean up to get rid of the dead scales and any lurking mites, otherwise a few months later they will come marching back again.

Home remedy
My home remedy of  a  diluted cider vinegar rinse  applied with some cotton wool over the itchy areas, is great for  humans and pets with skin conditions as it kills off any skin irritation and neutralises stinging and itching. Supermarket cider vinegar will do the trick so don't be schmoozed into buying 'organic' cider vinegar. Cheap and cheerful will do just as well. The  only downside of slathering the dog in vinegar is the pungent, penetrating smell that lingers for a few minutes.

 Now that you are scratching like mad just reading about walking dandruff, I think its time to take your mind off the subject by getting you to watch this charming little clip of a clever bird fishing for its dinner using logic and intelligence. Who said our feathered friends were bird brained?
 (Thank you to Rita Morris in Devon, retired production manager on the  early BBC David Attenborough Wild Life series now being repeated on the satellite channels, for sending me this clip for inclusion in this weeks's blog). Nice one Reet!

                                              Now didn't that make you say "Aww! sweet!"

Have a nice week and if you have any interesting items you want me to include on this page, email them to me.

Dawn (")

c'mon folks! do your bit for a worthy cause and help raise money for the Brain Tumour Research Campaign

                                                       Magic Wand Dog Show 13 April 2013

Enjoy a great day out with your pampered pooch– there will be 15 fun competition classes, such as “The Waggiest Tail”, “The Best Golden Oldie”, or “Most like the Owner” judged by celebrities. Entertainment such as “Musical Mats” and dog agility displays; side attractions such as dog tombola, culminating in a dog fashion show! Download the programme opposite.

It will be a fun day for all to enjoy – especially your dogs! There is no need to book in advance, just come along on the day!

Dovehouse Green, Kings Road, SW3 (next to Chelsea Fire Station)
10.30am to 4.30pm
FREE ENTRY

Why not enter the Online Photo Competition now for a chance to win a Spa Day for your dog, kindly donated by Harrods. The winner will be announced at the Dog Show

http://www.wayahead-btrc.org/2013/02/26/magic-wand-dog-show

I look forward to seeing you and your canine companion at the show!

Kind regards,

Wendy Fulcher
BTRC Founder
Direct Line: +44 (0)20 8601 2402
Brain Tumour Research Campaign
12-15 Hanger Green
London
W5 3EL

















WHAT AND WHERE EXACTLY IS RAINBOW BRIDGE?

When I mentioned in last week's blog that our little Maggie had gone to Rainbow Bridge, I had several people, asking me what exactly is this Rainbow Bridge that people keep talking and writing about. For those of you who don't know, this prose should explain what it is.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. They have minders to care for their every need.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His/her bright eyes are intent; His/her eager body quivers. Suddenly he/she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his/her legs carrying them faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...                            

Brings tears to the eyes but also a great comfort to anyone who has lost a much loved pet.  Many people like to have a lasting memento made from their pet's ashes. The following sites offer some interesting options. I rather like the idea of a pretty glass paper weight made from Maggie's ashes.
                                        
ww.LifeGemdiamonds.com
www.Sentimentalconnections.com
www.ashesintoglassco.uk
www.keepsakejewellery.com 

Now onto something a little more cheery. Here is a clip of a wonderful trainer with some very happy pets. (Unfortunately, I can't seem to get it to embed on this page so to watch it, you will have to copy it into your browser).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXoxrvGHna0

Until the next blog ........  take a bracing walk in the park with your best friend. Oh! and I hope you remembered to put your clocks forward? 



Dawn ("")

Maggie has now gone to Rainbow Bridge
R.I.P  1st June 1996 - 14th March 2013

KEEPING YOUR DOG HAPPY WITH THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND SOUNDS

I know! I know! it all sounds very New Age and hippy crap (as my husband, Richard describes it) but dogs understand a lot more than we give them credit for - not only the words we use but also the pitch, intonation and emotions in our voices.  Their uncanny attention to detail makes them seem like mind readers, and that explains why they always seem to hide when we are ready to give them a bath, see us take down a suitcase or get them ready for a visit to the vets. 

With their sharply tuned senses and their ability to perceive the most subtle signals, dogs are intimately involved with everything around them. They react to things that we are barely aware of, from the the tone of our voices to the composition of the light that surrounds them.  Some holistic vets believe these and thousands of other things emit a kind of vibrational energy, which if properly directed, can be used as a way to heal the body as well as the mind.

Are you still with me or have you lost the will to live?

In the last decade or so many vets have started to use "energy therapies".  They have found that using such things as light, music, colour, crystals and even thoughts are a good way of treating many ailments, from pain, emotional stress to problems with the immune system.  However, the wonderful thing about these therapies is that you don't have to be a veterinarian or a specialist to use these healing techniques.

I find that Touch is the most wonderful way to gain a dog's trust. If a dog could talk, they would tell you that touching keeps them healthy.When a sick or nervous dog comes to stay with me, I use the power of Reiki healing to calm them down.  Just 20 minutes of holding them on your lap and gently moving your hands over their body makes them settle into a deep sleep.  Its a bit like a gentle vibrational massage without  firm touch, and to a dog must be very soothing. Certainly after that they are more willing to trust you. Dogs who come to stay with me on a regular basis love their reiki sessions.  They are so blissed out after.

Sound is another good way to calm, heal and bond with a dog. Talk to them as you would a person.  They love to hear the soud of your voice talking to them softly and asking them what's troubling them.  You will get a deep sigh as they settle down  putting their head on their front paws. Dont worry about clearing your mind or getting into a meditative state. Listen to the answer that comes into your mind. Most people are afraid to trust their intuition. Even if the images that come to mind seem weird, write them down and once you start keeping track of them, you will be amazed at right your first instinct turned out to be. It may be a subtle vague impression about a certain part of the body that hurts, or the voice will say it feels queasy or it doesn't want you to go out or it will feel insecure and ask if you really love them.  Once you know what is troubling the dog, you can then do something about it.  A nice big hug and some sweet words whispered in its ear makes all the difference.

How often have you heard people say "I swear he understands every word I say".  I hate to tell you this but he does.  He may not recognize the sentence but he senses the meaning.  It does make me chuckle when you hear an owner saying to their dog "Be nice now, be nice!"  To the dog that sounds like "Nmnm, nmmn, numnum."  Dogs pick up your anxietes so if you worry that a fight will start, the dog picks this up and says to itself "Wayhay! let's liven up things today and start snarling and growling."  Panic all round.  Much better to diffuse any trouble with a matter of fact "C'mon, let's keep going!"

Music is the best form of sound therapy.  I play jazz  cds in the background for my dogs (and myself) when they have all settled into their baskets during the day.  Playing classical music in the car settles them during the journey and stops them from bouncing off the sides with excitement. They arrive at the park or whatever destination feeling happy and energised.

So remember, the power to heal your dog's aches and pains, is literally at your fingertips.

Put this date in your diary. Sounds like it will be a terrific day for you and your dog to enjoy.

What fun! what fun!  A lovely, heartwarming video to make you smile.

Until the next blog...... Dawn  ("")




















   
Magic Wand Dog Show
Enjoy a great day out with your pampered pooch– there will be 15 fun competition classes, such as “The Waggiest Tail”, “The Best Golden Oldie”, or “Most like the Owner” judged by celebrities. Entertainment such as “Musical Mats” and dog agility displays; side attractions such as dog tombola, culminating in a dog fashion show! Download the programme opposite.

It will be a fun day for all to enjoy – especially your dogs! There is no need to book in advance, just come along on the day!

Dovehouse Green, Kings Road, SW3 (next to Chelsea Fire Station)
10.30am to 4.30pm
FREE ENTRY

Why not enter the Online Photo Competition now for a chance to win a Spa Day for your dog, kindly donated by Harrods. The winner will be announced at the Dog Show

http://www.wayahead-btrc.org/2013/02/26/magic-wand-dog-show

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR DOG GETS DELHI BELLY ...........

This week sees the start of an epidemic of gastro-enteritis caught from the London parks and open spaces. It usually happens when the weather turns from cold to mild and all those little bugs lurking in the grass, wake up and start infecting anything that passes by.  One dog with the virus can and does infect many other dogs. Ask any vet and they will roll their eyes to heaven and say "yeah! many dogs have come in suffering from a bout of the "runs" and in some cases, gastro-enteritis."

Your poor pet may not be bellyaching about it, but having the runs/trots/squits (whatever you want to call it) can be a real pain in the gut and leave your dog down in the dumps.

Maybe you just woke up and caught the unmistakable pungent whiff of dog poo; or perhaps your dog is taking longer than normal outside; or there are piles of runny poo on the carpet.  Whatever signs tip you off to your dog's runny tummy, I will bet that within the hour, you will be begging for a solution from other dog owners or looking for help on the internet.

Before you panic, try a few of these tried and tested home remedies to get your dog through his version of the canine Delhi Belly.

1.  Mix a little cottage cheese with a small amount of regular food. Although it sounds odd, cottage cheese will help to firm up your dog's stool and at the same time keep their tummy full.  Not too much or they will end up chucking it up over the carpet.

2.  Plain boiled rice is also good for tummy flu.  Ever heard of  the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast). A small amount mixed together is easy on the stomach and the rice settles the stomach.  I keep a jar of baby food dessert made up of these ingredients in the store cupboard as a spoonful is easier than mashing up a mixture.

3.  Imodium is not only just good for humans but it is also terrific for dogs, but not too much.   Give 1ml in a syringe or a toddler's dose. Both will work wonders.

4.  Plain yoghurt is good for lining the stomach and stopping that queasy feeling.  A little in a dish or given by syringe will help calm the dog.

5.  Going down the homeopathic route, I always keep a bottle of Arsen Alb. 6c  (www. Nelson's Pharmacy or Weleda). This remedy works very quickly to stabilise the dog's bowel movements.  You can either hide two pills in a piece of cheese or crush and sprinkle over a little food.  I call this my "magic pill" as I use it  to treat any dog that has loose stools.

6.  Sleep is the most restorative cure for all ailments so let them sleep it off and don't worry if they don't fancy a bowl of food or treats.  If you do the right things, all will be back to normal within 24 hours.

Note of caution: If the colour of the poo changes from yellow to a dark brown gravy colour or even has spots of blood in it, then I would  strongly advise you to take your dog to the vet for an antibiotic.  Ignoring this stage, especially with small dogs, can be dangerous and life threatening.

Here's a nice little clip of dogs enjoying the snow.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRSsxfu0F3o

Dawn (")

IS YOUR DOG HEADING FOR A SET OF DENTURES?

 I couldn't write my blog for five weeks because my page vanished into cyberspace and trying to find it, log in and get started just wouldn't happen.  Not being a technophobe, I have had to walk through a minefield of pressing this and pressing that to make anything remotely familiar to come up on screen. Anyway, I am back now happily tapping away.

Watching a dog  in the park this morning with teeth problems and a gummy smile, made me think of today's subject about canine dentures.
I had one of those imponderable thoughts: How come you never see a dog with dentures? You see a lot of gummy gap- toothed dogs but never one with fitted with  a set of dentures.

Its not obligatory that your dog has to flash its pearly white gnashers for family portraits or modelling sessions. Nor do they have to do love scenes for romantic movies or make close and personal contact at business meetings but not caring for your dog's teeth can cause gum disease and problems later on in their lives.
"So ?" you ask, "what's the big problem worrying about their teeth?"

In pre-hisoric days, dogs used to tear raw meat off bones and this kept their teeth clean and healthy. But in modern times, they are fed soft food and in many cases, are forced to be vegetarian by well meaning but ignorant owners.  Dogs are carnivorous by nature so convincing yourself that a diet of slush is sufficient for their needs is soooooo wrong. Yes! dogs will eat carrots and beans mixed into their food, even raw eggs, but then they start eating their own poo because they are lacking vital nutrients in their diet. They need blood and gore in their diets. A good dinosaur bone works wonders in keeping their gnashers clean and healthy. if you can't find one of those then get a nice big beef bone.

All doggy dentists will tell you that if you neglect your dog's teeth, they will get so bad that your dog will start to suffer from pain and discomfort, not to mention chronic halitosis and gum disease.  Other dog's wont mind a bit meeting a dog with dragon's breath but humans coming into close contact with a stinky dog will find it  Phew enough to be  objectionable. Dogs in the wild never suffered the indignity of having decayed teeth because they had a diet of raw flesh and hard bones to keep them clean and healthy. In the modern world, dogs dont get such a diet and sometimes, even when feed on hard kibble, their owners will use water to soften the pellets.  Soft food makes soft teeth. Just ask a human on a diet of only soft food.  After a while, they end up with dentures as the gums get too soft, recede and  can't hold in the teeth.

Several problems can arise if you don't care for your dog's teeth and gums.

• Halitosis is a fancy word for stinky breath. This is usually the first stage of dental problems. It is caused when bits of food get stuck between your dog's teeth, and starts creating bacteria.  The bacteria is what is causing the smell. Brushing your dog's teeth will help to eliminate the problem right away, but if you ignore it, it will only get worse as more food builds up in your dog's mouth.

• Gingivitis occurs when plaque and tartar build up along the gum line. This encourages the growth of bacteria, and if left untreated, can lead to serious infection. If your dog has red, swollen, or bleeding gums, he may have gingivitis. But don't worry, gingivitis can be reversed if you get your dog regular dental treatments right away. If it's left untreated, though, it can quickly lead to periodontal disease.

• Periodontal Disease is the next step up from gingivitis, when the area between the teeth and gums becomes seriously infected. This  really is a serious condition, and needs to be treated right away! The infection can spread to other parts of your dog's body through the blood stream, and it can make him very sick. This condition is also likely very painful for your dog. His gums will be very swollen and sensitive. It may be hard for him to chew his food, and his teeth may even fall out. Periodontal disease warrants a trip to the vet, pronto!

The main cause of bad teeth is peridontal disease - that's plaque to you and me. If left unchecked, your dog runs the risk of gum disease and this can have a detrimental effect on the vital organs.

Toothpaste -The best way to keep this at bay is by using a special toothpaste that you can buy from a pet shop or the vet. Don't use human toothpaste as this has an ingredient that can make the dog throw up.  Some dogs will tolerate a toothbrush but most won't.  I use a finger brush with some beef flavoured toothpaste.  It stops the bad breath and starts to work on removing the plaque.  Its not an instant remedy but used over a period of weeks, you will notice a difference.

Hard biscuits - those big hard ones from the pet shop work wonders;  hide chews and the ocasional bone from the butcher are always good things to give your dog to keep their teeth clean.  My dogs love oxtail bones. Some supermarkets sell them but you will have to ask your butcher if he has any. If you think this is an expensive indulgence, then make Oxtail soup first and then give the bones to your dog. They can't shatter, they are tasty and it take the dog at least half an hour to chew all the way around the bone before they lose interest in it. I usually cook them in the microwave for 10 minutes and then let the dog have a good time stripping off the meat and gnawing the bone.  The gravy then goes into their bowls of food. This turns it into real gourmet- nosh- for- dogs.

My preferred method of cleaning plaque off my dog's teeth is by using  one of the following products:

Homeopathy.  I use Fragaria.
You can buy this in liquid form from Dene's denes.co.uk or 6c pills from Ainsworth's Homeopathic Pharmacy, www.ainsworths.com. or Weleda www.weleda.co.uk.  One pill a day or 2 drops  of the liquid in the food works wonders on their teeth. Both products are available by mail order. 

Blood Tissue: another safe remedy for reducing calculus or plaque is Calc.Flor.  You can get this from the chemist and the manufacturer is New Era.  Two of these pillules in the food twice  day helps to reduce plaque and keep the dog's breath fresh.

Plaque Off:  This is powdered sea weed available from the pet shop, your vet or from internet sites such as MedicAnimal, Denes or PetMedicines and when sprinkled on their food, helps to reduce the tartar on their teeth. This product often varies in price so I sometimes stock up on sheets of Nori or Wakame seaweed from the japanese section of the supermarket. I crush it up and sprinkle it over their food. They love it (and so do I!) because it has a slightly salty taste.

By week four you should start noticing a difference in their teeth and breath. And then you never know, they might even get a modelling contact for Logic doggy toothpaste!

Until the next blog.  Keep smiling!


Dawn ("~")
 







Here is a really chilled out and relaxed pussycat. How cute is that?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LL3OuOajpc