Pet Accessories

The Indians taught the English settlers 400 years ago how important it was to give thanks for an abundant harvest and all that the earth gives us to sustain us. The first Thanksgiving was a lesson in appreciation and also on being careful with our resources, using every single part of an animal or plant for what it can provide.

We have come a long way since then and we don’t always remember those invaluable lessons about not being wasteful. Much of our natural resources are taken for granted and destroyed unnecessarily as we rush about our busy lives. There are many ways to return to an appreciative mindset, even while enjoying all that we have today.  An eco-friendly dog bed made of recycled plastic bottles is the perfect example of using resources to their fullest potential and enjoying today’s life. Your pet cares as mush about this earth as you do!

One recent study shows that human yawns are contagious to dogs, indicating that dogs may be capable of some level of empathy.  Dogs have proven their skill at reading intentions, understanding hand gestures, and taking other behavioral cues from humans.  Scientists are confused, however, because dogs seem to lack a strong sense of self, which is considered necessary for development of true empathy.  Dogs also do not recognize themselves in mirrors, which is one of the building blocks of self-awareness.  The study suggests that dogs are not completely narcissistic in their relationships with people, but possess “some low-level attending to what others feel,” said Duke University anthropologist Brian Hare (who was not involved in this particular research study). Only humans and chimpanzees have been known to yawn contagiously.

The study involved 29 dogs and was conducted in two stages at the University of London. In the first session, each dog watched a researcher perform an exaggerated yawn. In the control portion of the experiment, the dogs observed the same researcher just opening his mouth. 21 of the 29 dogs-yawned immediately upon seeing the researcher yawn, a higher percentage than the 45% to 60% rate of contagious yawning reported among humans and the 33% of contagious yawning reported in chimpanzees.  During the control portion of the experiment, not one of the dogs yawned.  But if your dog is yawning, it may be time for him to hop onto his dog sofa for a nap.

There are many volunteer-driven rescue groups across America that are more than doing their part in the lives of homeless animals. These organizations depend on the big hearts of their volunteers and the pocketbooks of their sponsors, and with all of that they are able to save many wonderful, loving animal companions that would otherwise be euthanized due to lack of resources.

How do they do it? By contacting many shelters that do put their animals to sleep, these rescue groups organize transport chains, often covering hundreds of miles, to bring these animals to the local volunteers who will foster the pets until a home can be found. With just a magnetic sign on the side of their family car, and a car seat cover in the back seat, someone’s future best friend is brought to safety. See if you too can make a difference and look for a No-Kill Rescue Group in your area to support. One really good one is The Last Resort Rescue in Hewitt, NJ. www.thelastresortrescue.com. You will be happy you did!

While different breeds may experience aging at different times, most pets that do live to a full life expectancy are going to have some of the many possible issues that occur with aging. Some breeds are prone to diabetes, some to tumors, some to digestive disorders, and many develop hip and joint pain and arthritis.

As your dog ages, it is especially important that you accomodate their specific needs, such as gates strategically placed to avoid falling on stairs and dog beds to cushion potentially aching joints. Orthopedic dog beds are constructed to ease pressure points and minimize pain for the older dog.

Going back to school brings with it the inevitable pitfalls, like colds and the dreaded head lice. Most schools do a great job not only of informing parents when there is a problem, but also physically checking each child at least once per year. When lice are found the child usually stays home while being treated and everyone is requested to check their own children as well. A few of the following precautions can help minimize the risk.

-Make sure children are not sharing hats, headbands, brushes and combs.

- Children with long hair should keep it tied back and neat, so the lice do not have access to a route to the scalp.

-Wash clothing and bedding thoroughly. It is not a bad idea as well if you have pets to wash any dog beds as well, particularly if your child likes to roll around and play with your dog.

If unfortunately a round of lice does hit your home, there are many products that will help clear the situation up, including special combs to get the nits (eggs) out and shampoos to kill anything left. Not a favorite part of going back to school, for sure, but something that is avoidable and manageable. Have a great year!

In this harsh job climate, I considered myself lucky to land a career in my field of study right out of college. Unfortunately, it meant relocating to a whole new part of the country: the Midwest. I had never been to Chicago before, and the drive took three entire days. The plan was for me to drive there in my station wagon with some clothes, a few small pieces of furniture and my dog Brutus in the back seat. Then my parents would come along a few days later in a truck with the rest of my possessions.

When I got to my apartment, I was famished and exhausted. I grabbed a quick dinner and thought about all that I needed to do in the days ahead. It was time to grab some shuteye while I had the chance. It struck me that Brutus would be sleeping on his luxury dog bed that night, just as he always did. For the first time in our lives, Brutus had a much more comfortable bed than I did. I gave him a jealous glance and curled up in a bundle of blankets.

New parents know that swaddling a baby is important to keeping them warm and making them feel secure. Babies can’t regulate their body temperatures until a couple weeks after their born, so swaddling helps prevent hypothermia and discomfort. Puppies have the same issue. It takes a few days for them to get warm on their own.

Dog beds are a good way to make sure your puppy grows up to be happy and healthy. In many cases puppies are kept warm by their mothers’ bodies. But, puppies are often abandoned or rescued, and in these cases insulated dog beds are an important step in bolstering their health.

You’re looking to house-train your dog. Your dog, on the other hand, is naturally inclined to dwell in a den. Dog crates are the only solution that fulfills both the needs of you and your pet, and crate training is a process that’s well worth the effort. For the owner’s part, it really comes down to self-discipline. Once inside his crate, your dog might start to whine or even howl. The key is to resist the temptation of letting him out. The routine should be firmly established: let the dog out to relieve himself, then bring him in to sleep in the crate.

Of course it’s essential to make the dog feel as safe and comfortable as possible inside the crate. Try using a dog crate pad as a basis for comfort and support, and top it with the animal’s favorite blankets and toys. Set a rawhide strip or two inside the crate, especially for the first few nights, as dogs like to chew things when they’re nervous.