My Fetching Fido

Car Accidents
A pet hit by a car needs to see a vet immediately. Internal bleeding is common, and outward signs of distress may not show up for several hours.

Bleeding
Using direct pressure, apply a clean, dry cloth to the wound. If blood soaks through the first layer of fabric, add more so you don’t disrupt any clots that may be forming. Use a tourniquet only as a last resort. Transport your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Choking
Dogs or cats that are choking may breathe loudly, drool, paw at the mouth, cough, gag , become anxious, or faint. If this happens, gently open your pet’s mouth to locate and manually remove the object. If your pet isn’t breathing and you can’t find the obstruction, perform a modified Heimlich maneuver. With your pet facing away from you, clasp your hands around its waist, just beneath the rib cage. Compress the abdomen three to five times with quick upward thrusts. Repeat as necessary. If that doesn’t work, take your pet immediately to the vet.

Poisoning
Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, excitability, difficulty breathing, disorientation, poor coordination, twitching, convulsions, and collapse. Not all poisons are treated alike, so if you think your pet may have ingested something dangerous, head to the vet immediately.Try to bring any plant material, vomit, or toxic substance with you.

When: Premieres Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 8:00 PM (60 minutes)
Where: CBS

In this new CBS reality show, 12 teams (dog owners and their pets) live together in the same house as they compete to see who is the best. The show will have competitors from pageants and from people who have trained their dogs at home.

German commercial for cat food with spinach - obviously delicious!

You may not think that dogs can get sick because they have furry little coats, but that is not always the case. My dog, Chuck, got sick the other week, primarily because we went out for a jog in the rain. A few days later, Chuck was sneezing every few seconds and acted like a lethargic toddler.

While the vet said he just caught a little cold, he also suggested that I purchase a dog rain coat for Chuck. A little while afterwards, I bought him one and now when we decide to go off on a drizzling jog, I don’t have to worry about him getting sick. And he looks awfully cute, too!

Like people, dogs are also sensitive to cold and who wants their fuzzy friends shivering? Buying dog clothes can assist in this problem. Best of all, you can select what outfit you want for your dog and pick out something that really makes their personality bark out loud. At the very least, they won’t be cold anymore.

Take a look! Can you believe how cute these dog beach outfits are - from dog visors to dog swimwear? What a great website I’ve discovered - it has something for every dog for every occasion at unbelievable prices! I’m telling all my dog owner friends to check this out!

Your dog will love celebrating July 4th along with your family in this adorable outfit hat and harness vest.

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” so they can begin their American Dream.

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, family gatherings, and fireworks**. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations with different languages and of different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.

We invite all nations to celebrate with Americans online this Fourth of July.
Happy Birthday, America!

**Safety Tip for Dog Owners Regarding Fireworks**
Never unnecessarily expose your pet to firecracker noise or fireworks displays as they can cause companion animals tremendous fear, and in many cases, long-term phobias. Make sure to keep dogs indoors, and keep walks (on a leash) very brief. Try masking loud firecracker noises with “white noise” (from the air conditioner or white noise machine) as well as with music or other familiar sounds (radio or television). Or if possible, take a brief vacation with your pet in a quiet rural area until The Fourth of July fireworks are over.

Check out the terrific, affordable dog dresses on this great website, www.barkingmart.com.

In Theaters September 26, 2008

Walt Disney Pictures presents Beverly Hills Chihuahua. It’s a movie about (what else?) a pampered BH Chihuahua named Chloe (voice of Drew Barrymore) who finds herself accidentally lost in the mean streets of Mexico without a day spa or a Rodeo Drive boutique anywhere in sight. She finds she must reply on some unexpected new friends - including a street-hardened German Shepherd named Delgado (voice of Andy Garcia) and an amorous pup named Papi (voice of George Lopez). Other actors starring are Jamie Lee Curtis, Salma Hayek, Edward James Olmos, Cheech Marin among others. Be sure to see it.

Click here to see a great selection of dog hats.

Your pooch could be the next Mutt Strut’s Indiana Bones.

The Quincy (Illinois) Humane Society’s popular Mutt Strut fund raiser, which this year carries an “Indiana Bones and Raiders of the Lost Bark” theme, is getting an early start. A “casting call” has been announced for area pet owners who think their dog is star material.

“We are in search of a compelling canine to play the role of Indiana Bones,” said Lynn Fischer, a volunteer for the Humane Society who coordinates the Mutt Strut. “The winning dog will be featured in event publicity, our brochure, and lead the Mutt Strut official walk.”

“This event is becoming a year-round thing and just continues to grow and grow.” And the results show that.

The 2007 Mutt Strut raised a record $34,000. “Last year more than 500 people — and their dogs — came to South Park,” Fischer said. “While most of those who attended were from Quincy and nearby, we also had those there from as far away as St. Louis, Chicago and Peoria.” The 14th edition of the Mutt Strut will be an October 4th gathering in South Park, but satellite events tied to it such as the “casting call” are turning it into a year-round project.

Money generated from the Mutt Strut goes toward operating expenses for the Humane Society. Last year the Humane Society’s budget was $270,000, a figure bound to increase after it recently moved into a new $1.042 million complex at 1701 N. 36th.

The entry fee for the Indiana Bones casting call is $10, along with a photo of your dog and a short essay (100 words or less) on why your pet would be a good choice to play that role. Entries should be mailed to the Quincy Humane Society, Attention: Casting Call, P.O. Box 3173, Quincy IL 62305. They must be postmarked by July 15. Photos cannot be returned.

The role of Indiana Bones will be selected by a volunteer panel established by the Humane Society. All spayed or neutered dogs are welcome to participate.

Questions about the contest or Mutt Strut may be phoned to (217) 223-8786.

Contibuted by Steve Eighinger
Herald-Whig Staff Writer 6/9/08

LABRADOR RETRIEVER
CLUB OF GREATER BOSTON

Thursday & Friday,
June 12th & 13th, 2008

THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY 4-H FAIRGROUNDS
South Chelmsford Road
Westford, MA 01886

Temperament: The Labrador Retriever is highly intelligent, loyal, and deeply devoted. It is reliable, affectionate, and thrives on human companionship and attention. They are absolutely wonderful with children and get along exceedingly well with other dogs. They, along with Golden Retrievers, are exceptional family dogs.They may be reserved with strangers and make good watchdogs. If this breed is left alone for extended periods of time without attention or stimulation, they will become lonely, bored, and destructive.