Tweet

Tweet

RUNNING WITH DOG

If you are a dog lover like me, then you’re always keen to say hello to any dog that crosses your path. Have you noticed that more and more of the dogs you see on your daily travels are overweight? Recent [...]]]>

Tweet

RUNNING WITH DOG

If you are a dog lover like me, then you’re always keen to say hello to any dog that crosses your path. Have you noticed that more and more of the dogs you see on your daily travels are overweight? Recent statistics show that up to 40% of dogs are too generous around their middle, and it’s having serious effects on their health.

Obesity in dogs, like in people, can cause diabetes, arthritis and skin fold infections. If that’s not bad enough, overweight dogs tend to die two years before their lean counterparts.

How do you know if your dog is overweight? Use your hands. Rub them over both sides of his chest, over his ribs. You should be able to feel each rib fairly easily. Look down on him from above, and see if there is a narrowing of his body just behind his ribs. Squat down, and check how he looks from the side. His tummy should be nicely tucked up.  Be honest. Many people think their dog has thick fur, or he has big bones. If you are in any doubt about your dog’s body condition, have a chat to your veterinarian, and they will advise you.

Now comes the hard part. How do we get those extra pounds off our dog’s waistline? It’s not easy, and it takes discipline. An informal study in Victoria, Australia found that only 3% of overweight dogs had a medical reason for their condition, the remaining 97% were fat because they were overweight and under-exercised. Do you know what that means? It is most likely that a dog is overweight because of their owner. They are being killed with kindness!

Weight loss results when a dog uses up more calories than they eat. There are two parts to this equation – reduce the amount of calories they eat, and increase the amount they use up with exercise. You can either cut back your dog’s usual food, or use a prescription diet specifically designed for weight loss. Cut out all between meal snacks – this means no toast crusts after your breakfast, and no leftovers after you have finished dinner. You will need to be strong to resist your dog’s soft brown eyes, but just remember, you are doing it because you care about him. Gradually increase the amount of exercise he has each day. Go out for a longer walk, or if he has sore legs, take him swimming. This allows him to exercise while the water supports his body.

Weight loss isn’t easy, but it is so important. Your dog will be healthier, and you’ll enjoy the company of your four legged best friend for longer. That’s worth the effort, isn’t it?

Tweet

In the Dog House — Which Structure Fits Your Best Friend’s Needs? As much as they love their humans and want to be around them, once in a while the family dog, like everyone else, needs their space. But what sort of dog structure is [...]]]>

Tweet

In the Dog House — Which Structure Fits Your Best Friend’s Needs? As much as they love their humans and want to be around them, once in a while the family dog, like everyone else, needs their space. But what sort of dog structure is right for your dog? In the wild, wolves and other canines like to live in dens dug out of the ground. So whatever the structure is, it shouldn’t be too small, but again it shouldn’t be too large. One rule of thumb is that the doghouse should be just about big enough for the dog to turn around in. Any structure should make a dog feel safe and secure.

Fit For a Human? Some dog shelters are so well made that a human might not mind living in them if they were a bit roomier. A nice structure for two dogs might be a double kennel, which has apartments for two medium sized dogs, about the size of Labrador retriever or a border collie. It’s raised on stilts, and the metal roof, whose slats are held together with seams to wick off the rain, can come in a dozen colors. The wood siding can also be stained or left as is. This kennel has windows, and a latched door covered with chicken wire where air can circulate and the dog can look out at the world. The back part is windowless, so if Fido wants to get away from it all for a while, he can.

Other doghouses aren’t so fancy. Some look like log cabins and have porches. Some doghouses are insulated to be warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and have UV protection. Most of them have feet that lift them a couple of inches from the ground, to resist rot and the cold ground. A lot of the houses have to be assembled. Some of the insulated shelters have optional heating pads for those frigid days and nights.

Most doghouses you’ll see have the unusual pitched gabled roof, though the writer has seen one with a flat, slanted roof that makes it look like a kitchen counter. The roof can actually be propped open. It has a vinyl door flap and can come in a size right for your dog. A pet mat is optional.

Dog House As Furniture Another quite popular dog house doubles as a night stand. It’s actually supposed to stand beside the human’s bed. The top holds the stuff one would expect on a night stand, like an alarm clock and a lamp, but the dog sleeps below. This one is good for little dogs, and the concept might not be as weird as it looks. The dog has his own space, but he’s near his people as well.

Another house for little dogs has a roof deck, which the dog accesses via a dog ladder. One blue-painted structure has a sign saying “Beach” over the door and has a little, crooked chimney. Another has a mansard roof like a barn.
Other dog structures are fashioned as large, insulated igloos or tents, while others are portable. A dog crate/table is made out of wood treated to look like expensive teak, and has a MDF floor and a steel latch. A dog might like this one most of all, as many dogs like being crated. They are safe behind the bars of the crate, but can see what’s happening in the outside world. This crate also comes in different sizes, and it’s stylish enough to be used as an end table. Again, the dog has the best of both worlds!

In The Dog House Just as there are many varieties of dogs from which you pick the best for you, the same can be true of their shelter.  Take your time and have fun picking out what you both like, because the possibilities are endless.

Deborah Petersen is a content contributor for Design 55, a designer and online retailer of <a href=”http://www.design55online.co.uk“>Design 55 Modern Furniture</a>.

Tweet

Tweet

Tweet

For my senior kittys, Mike and Spike I would love to get the Glucosamine gravy, the daily best for senior cats, hip and joint for cats, any of thermo Kitty beds, a Kritter condo, a walk through metal gate with small pet door, a fresh [...]]]> CONCATULATIONS TO CHELSEA AND HER PETS!

For my senior kittys, Mike and Spike I would love to get the Glucosamine gravy, the daily best for senior cats, hip and joint for cats, any of thermo Kitty beds, a Kritter condo, a walk through metal gate with small pet door, a fresh flow waterer,a comfort zone plug in, excel bladder care paste for cats, a cat n mouse toy, a crazy circle from pet mate, and a wild tale toy please. They have both been the best boys I could ever ask for, so Santa Paws please stop at our house.

December 1st 6:00AM – 9:00PM EST

BEST ONLINE PETS SUPPLY

Back for another gift giving contest is one of my favorites, Best Online Pets Supply.  Best Online Pets Supply has so many cool pet products, it is impossible to leave the site without your shopping cart completely full.   Let’s begin with cat supplies and all the feline products in this category.  Best Online Pets Supply store has books, carriers, beds, cages…. well there is just way too many categories and items to list!  It is a purrrrfect selection of feline favorites; if you are a cat lover, you will love their cat section.  My favorite cat product in this category is of course the Kritter Kondo (MOL!)

As I mentioned before, this cat feeding bowl is great too!  My guys will love to get it for Christmas.

Some really cool dog products also line the virtual shelves at Best, including dog blankets, dog beds, and even a bakery for pooches!

Okay, now it’s your turn!  Head on over to the store and find at least one item (but don’t be shy, list a few if you have been especially good this year) you would LOVE to have if you won the $25.00 Gift Card.  At 7:00PM EST comments will be CLOSED and one random lucky name will be the winner.  The gift card will be emailed to you so you MUST include your EMAIL ADDRESS in the comments.  Let’s review that so you don’t miss out.

GO TO BEST ONLINE PETS SUPPLY

CHOSE AT LEAST ONE ITEM YOU WOULD LOVE TO HAVE (OR 2 OR 3 OR:<)

LEAVE YOUR WISH ITEM IN YOUR COMMENT

GOOD LUCK!  AND COME BACK TOMORROW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A $25.00 GIFT CARD FROM CAT TOYS.COM

WINNER OF THE $25.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE  -  ENJOY!!!!

Thanks for the introduction to Bad Cat Jewelry. I’m especially intrigued with the felted bead bracelets because it is new to me and after going to a few craft festivals this fall I’m fascinated with all the felting [...]]]> CONGRATULATIONS TO CAROL

WINNER OF THE $25.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE  -  ENJOY!!!!

Thanks for the introduction to Bad Cat Jewelry. I’m especially intrigued with the felted bead bracelets because it is new to me and after going to a few craft festivals this fall I’m fascinated with all the felting process. As for colors? Who can pick? I like the red, aqua and black.I often have sizing problems when I get bracelets as my wrist is a larger with an old fracture. Hard to find 8 – 8 1/2. Guess I’ll consult for help with sizing

Tweet

Okay, my cats Abigail and Madison were jealous with all the cool pet stores that were giving away gift certificates…. now I am jealous that one of the mommy’s will be a lucky winner to this very pawsitively pawesome jewelry store. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this store. I met the owner and desinger; mastermind behind the lovely pieces, Mary Elizabeth, on Twitter (thank god for Social Media!) where we became fast friends.  Since then, we are connected on Facebook through our businesses and our personal Facebook pages.  I also frequent the Bad Cat Blog which is a glimpse into Mary Elizabeth’s home life and a reflection of her creativity.

Why do I love Bad Cat Jewelry?  Her pieces are so pretty and yet still subtly unique. For example, this new line of felt jewelry she recently added to her collection, is wonderfully whimsical  and yet have such a style all their own….. The felt bracelets are adorable with jeans and a t-shirt or simply elegant with that little black cocktail dress for the holidays.  These bracelets (especially the RED ONE) are on my must have list.  What’s on yours? 

***Jewelry also makes such a nice Christmas gift or birthday gift!***

I have purchased, ahem, several pieces from Mary Elizabeth’s store over the last 18 months.  Okay……. confession time……… so a couple is 2, a few is 3 and several is more than 5; and that is all I am going to admit to! :<) !  From earrings to bracelets, to gifts for friends and family – Bad Cat Jewelry won’t disappoint.  Here is an antiqued aqua bracelet I received a few months ago.  I wear this bracelet ALL the time and get so many compliments!  It goes great with jeans and a t-shirt, business casual for work and even a charcoal gray suit I wear for business meetings.

Now here is the part that is just awwwwwww, so sweet for us pet lovers !  Mary Elizabeth has a rescue kitty cat of her own (hence Bad Cat Jewlery) named Moxie Rotten.  Look at this wittle face!

You can read more about Moxie Rotten on the Bad Cat Jewelry Blog, but let me just tell you….. I do remember when Mary Elizabeth adopted this kitty.  I know first hand the progress this fur baby has made since Mary Elizabeth and her family provided a loving, forever home for her.  Amazing what some TLC can do for the shrewdest of them!

Mary Elizabeth is a wife, loving mother of two and lives in Northern Virginia where she designs and creates her jewelry collection.  Thanks so much for being a Sponsor for my Blog M.E., I am honored to share your work with my friends and followers.

All my best, xooxoxo Let the games begin!

OKAY HERE IS HOW YOU CAN WIN!  please please please be sure you are: Following my Blog (the little blue box on the right that says “join this site”), FAN me on Facebook (click on the Facebook Badge where the kitty is giggling up a storm on the right) and leave your name and email address in the wittle yellow box on the right.

Now the rest is super easy.  Leave me a comment and tell me at least one (or more) things you would LOVE to have from Bad Cat Jewelry Store.

A winner will be randomly chosen and announced November 28th.

Comments close for this Kontest at 9:00PM EST Saturday November 27th.

Here are the ways to stay in touch with Bad Cat Jewelry via Social Media:

Bad Cat Jewelry Store (oh so important to FAVORITE this for yourself!)

Bad Cat Blog

Bad Cat Twitter (follow her for fun tweets and updates to her website)

Facebook (this is where the totally pawesome new jewelry photos get posted, must get connected!)

Have fun, good luck with the Kontest!

xoxoxox purrs and wags

Lisa, Madi and Abi

comments close 11:00PM Saturday November 27th

Win a Kritter Kondo Deluxe PINK!

What to do to try and WIN! (only one comment per person is necessary)