Happy Pet Blog

photo credit: Phil Romans

An email I received from one of my valued readers. I would like to share this beautiful outcome to a very sad situation.

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I just read one of your articles on the Internet about pet therapy. I just lost my best friend, a black lab who had been with me for 15 years. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.Since then I have been thinking about what I want when I get another dog. I still have a beautiful gentle mutt named Emma, rescued from the SPCA 10 years ago. Recently I started taking her up to a building of condominiums owned mostly by the very elderly. Emma had been very down, not eating or smiling since her companion had been put down.But when the elderly fussed over, petted her, and spent some time with her, she began to come out of it. She is back smiling again, is happy and bouncy and is eating.

So I think the therapy works both ways!

Thank you for your article. I am going to talk to the nursing homes in our small town (I live in Central Montana) to see if I can take Emma to visit them. And my next dog will be selected based on his ability to be a therapy dog.

Keep Your Dog Safe In Hot Weather

Guest Article Writer: Miss Debra Rae

Reading this article could save your dog’s life. Summertime brings longer days, warmer temperatures and a need for safety. Whether you live in the far north, the deep south, the coast or the desert, the more you know about hot weather dog safety, the better.

For example, at temperatures of 50, 60 or even 70 degrees Fahrenheit (depending on humidity levels) leaving your dog in the car can turn into a fatality. Dog heat stroke happens fast. Many places have laws about leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle and the places that don’t, should. Read the rest of this entry »

Care for your Dog’s Ear problems.

Regular ear care for your dog Routine ear care is very important to the health of your dog. Perform regular checks and cleaning between visits to your veterinarian, it will help keep your dog’s ears healthy and pain free. This is extremely important to do. I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years, and they are well known for ear conditions. But remember, no matter how efficient you are in caring for your dog’s ears, serious conditions may still arise. Also, beware when your dog flaps its ears too much; this can cause a hematoma, which I will discuss a little further on. Read the rest of this entry »