...And They're Off!

True North Greyhounds officially launched its Retired from Racing, not from Life Art Book Project this week.

You can find more info here: http://retiredfromracingnotfromlife.blogspot.com/

100% of the profits will go to the OSU Greyhound Health & Wellness Program.

Earth Day: Reduce your Hounds' Carbon Pawprint

Please consider the following things to help make your dog a little more earth friendly:

• Use biodegradable doggie clean up bags & don't tie the bag.  When you use normal bags, the waste stays in landfill for years.  Many municipalities use your canine's "doo" (after it's treated) to fertilize public gardens. Treatment plants can only treat bags that are not tied.
• Buy from companies that are environmentally responsible.  Many use materials from renewable resources for packaging.  Others make toys from scraps that would otherwise go to waste. 
• Purchase treats that are organic (no pesticides), or make your own.
• Try local.  Many butchers or farmer's markets have bones that are large enough for dogs. Locally sourced products cut down on shipping costs.
• Find doggie apparel or bedding that is made from hemp.  Hemp is durable and will out last cotton.

Some of my favorite eco-friendly canine companies are:

• Cloud Star
• Planet Dog
• Earth Dog

T-shirt available from Planet Dog

Pooch Pocket Book

So far in 2009 we have spent:

1. $388.69 - Colby's dental
2. $240.93 - X-ray for Cruce's swollen leg
3. $634.00 - Sophie's dental & Tutu's bloodwork, urinalysis, antibiotics for bladder infection
4. $280.63 - Tutu's dental

Grand Total:  $1,544.25

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr! 

Biggie Size My Biscuit

Our 1 year anniversary in our new house was this weekend.  Neal & I celebrated with Chinese take-out, one of our favorites.   Not wanting the dogs to feel left out of the action, I gave them a gi-normous dog treat. After eating, I settled down to read through a stack of magazines.   I've been promising myself I'd read them for a year.  Time to get down to business. 

  

Every issue that I leafed through, had an article about canine obesity.   

Recent studies estimate that a quarter of our dog population is overweight. Doggie demographics suggest that the negative changes in our lifestyles, are playing a role in their health as well. Us humans are spending longer hours at work, more time in front of the TV/computer & less time outdoors. The portion sizes of meals have also increased.  Often we eat out of boredom & we feel as though are dogs should partake. Another thing is the guilt factor. Both pet parents work all day & don't get to spend as much time with pets as they would like.  Therefore, we compensate by over feeding the four legged family members. 

 

Less exercise + more food = weight gain.  

Veterinary practices are starting to open obesity clinics to try to curtail the epidemic. These are like boot camps for dogs.  Owners are educated on nutrition & exercise while the dog stays at the vet's to lose weight. Sometimes these stints in doggie rehab can last a month or more.  Obesity is also causing an alarming trend in canine arthritis, diabetes, and an increase in heart & lung problems. Carrying extra weight also shortens life span.    

  

Dogs don't ask to have their biscuits biggie sized.  And although they won't say no to a colossal bowl of kibble, it's up to us to moderate their portions & exercise with them.

$388.69

Today Colby went for his dental (an often neglected part of every dog's health).  I have never added up the cost associated with having 4 dogs.  However, today's bill has prompted me to be a little more savvy with my canine finances.  It cost us $388.69 for dental polishing, scaling, anaesthesia, blood work, extractions, & pain medication.  I might need pain meds after I tally up my bills for a year.       

Emergency Information

Do you travel with your dog? Is your pet often left home alone? Here is something that we all should consider having: an emergency information card for our pets. Humans carry identification, why shouldn't our canine companions? In the event of an accident, emergency personnel will be able to help your furry family member(s) as well. It's something quick and simple to do, however, most of us don't take the time to do it.

You can make these whatever size you want, business card, recipe card or even a full size sheet of paper & they should be laminated. Include whatever information that you think is pertinent, for example, number of pets that you have in your home, name, color, age, gender, breed, veterinary info, medical conditions, personality traits, & emergency contact info (possibly a dog sitter or neighbor). For greyhounds, it also important to indicate that they are sensitive to anesthesia. Each pet should have their own card. Put the completed info sheets in your handbag, wallet, dash of your car, or next to your telephone.

If you have an alarm system, it's also a good idea to let them know how many pets you have in your home and the animals' name(s). I've also seen stickers at Vet offices & the SPCA which you put in your window. These stickers alert police officers, or firemen that pets are inside & how many you have.