Canine Care

It’s one of a dog parent’s worst nightmares. You are with your dog at the local dog park or visiting a neighbors yard, and a fight breaks out between your pooch and another dog. Perhaps the two were playing at first, and one or both of them became overstimulated and began playing too rough. Or …

My parents adopted their rescue dog, Rupert, way back in 2007. A Whippet cross, we don’t know his exact age but suspect he’s now 12-14 years old. Not that you would know it when he’s running around the garden chasing squirrels! Rupert is a fantastic companion for my family, lively and brimming with character. A …

I would never have sent my German shepherd, Bella, to a dog boarding service. She was my baby, my child before I had an actual child, and the thought of leaving her with a stranger was akin to leaving a baby with strangers. If I went out of town on a road trip, Bella came …

When we talk about the financial side of dog ownership we usually focus on the costs and on how expensive it can be to own a dog. As a financial planner, I often advise my clients to make sure they are financially prepared for the realities of dog ownership. Focusing only on the costs, though, …

All dog owners know how expensive it can be to have a dog – sometimes much more expensive than we expected! On top of food, toys and regular vet bills, which can cost the average dog owner around $1,000 a year, we also have to be prepared for major vet expenses, like getting your dog …

We all know that owning a dog can be expensive – sometimes much more expensive than we expected! Between food, toys and regular vet bills, the average dog owner can expect to spend around $1,000 a year on their dog, and that’s not including major vet expenses like getting your dog fixed.  It pays to …

Just how much does it cost to put a dog down? One of the most difficult parts of loving a dog is having to make end-of-life decisions for them as pet owners. Our dogs become members of our families, and we love them almost as much as we love the rest of our family. Most …

Three years ago my husband and I made one of the best decisions of our lives when we brought our dog Kyra into our family. We had known for a long time that we wanted a dog, we had done the work to make sure we were prepared for the responsibility and the costs, and …

If you are one of the lucky pet parents who has just introduced an adorable, fluffy, crazy cute Husky puppy into your life, then we think congratulations are certainly in order! Is there anything as adorable as a Husky puppy? Those big paws, that incredible fur, those piercing blue or brown – or sometimes both …

Purina’s Calming Care product is a probiotic supplement that helps your dog deal with stressors and stay in a healthy, happy state of mind. When you purchase this product, you receive a box that contains 45 pouches and will last for 6 weeks. Each pouch contains one serving of Calming Care. To use, you simply …

Tea tree oil was the magic stuff of my childhood. Got a cut? Put tea tree oil on it for healing. Got zits? Ditto. In fact, I used an entire line of tea tree oil products for acne from The Body Shop, and for the most part, they worked on that teenage skin woe. Now …

Dog ate chicken bones? If your dog eats cooked chicken bones, you need to be very careful, as cooked bones can splinter easily and cooked bones can cause trouble. The story of Clancy accidentally eating cooked bones below and how I dealt with it will be helpful to you. I grew up in southwestern Montana, …

So, you’re adopting a brand new puppy and you’re totally over the moon excited. First of all, congratulations and second of all, don’t worry. You’re not being overly dramatic. Adopting a puppy is a super big deal and, as anyone who has raised a puppy may tell you, a puppy isn’t just a pet. It’s …

Many people wish to become a dog walker simply because they have a love for dogs. Perhaps they have had dogs all their lives, perhaps they want to start their own business or perhaps they just want to do something that enables them to be active and outdoors. Anyone can become a dog walker, so …

Everyone who owns German shepherds knows that they struggle with hip issues. When we bred Clancy, who had “excellent” hip health, with another German shepherd, all the puppies came out with “good” hips…except one, Osita. Osita was a sweet, fluffy dog who loved everybody. A family in the neighborhood purchased her and were thrilled to …

Football season is here, which for us humans means tailgating parties. Who doesn’t enjoy that big pre-game party, hanging out with friends and fans, firing up the grill and downing burgers, dogs and beer? Speaking of dogs, and tails, why not let your dog in on all of the fun? Some dogs simply love being …

Most dogs love the outdoors. Though a balance between outdoor adventures and indoor cuddles is desirable, dogs are animals who naturally thrive when in their natural habitat of the great outdoors. Whether it’s for exercise, playtime or just pacing the perimeter of their territory, dogs love having a safe space where they can roam outdoors …

We all know the feeling of coming home and opening the door to an excitable dog jumping around, wagging its tail and looking happy to see you. It’s a satisfying feeling and one that, I am sure we can all agree, makes us feel special. However, imagine one day that you come home and you …

Maybe you are considering adding a new buddy into your home for your currently single dog household, or maybe you are like some of us, where dogs are like potato chips and you just can’t have just one. Whichever, end of the spectrum you are at, it is only normal to expect some amount of …

New dog parents find themselves wondering whether and when they should have their canine companion spayed or neutered. Is it time to spay your new female pooch? Or neuter your male canine companion? Knowing when to spay a dog, especially when they have already reached adulthood can be harder to determine. Excited about bringing your …

Swimming is an excellent warm weather activity for your dog. It exercises their body and their mind. Just like with humans, swimming is a low impact form of exercise that is good for dogs of all ages. Some dog breeds were born to swim, while others prefer to stay out of the water. Even dogs …

A microchip is an electronic way to identify a pet. It is the size of a grain of rice and is inserted underneath the skin, usually between your pup’s shoulder blades. It contains a code that connects your dog to your personal details. If your dog is ever found and taken to a vet or …

Recently, I made a move to California and found myself smack in the middle of two back-to-back earthquakes. Don’t let my dramatics fool you; I live hours from Ridgecrest, which is where the two earthquakes initially hit, the first one rocking our world on July fourth and the second on July 5th. So, for me, …

Here’s a familiar scenario:  you and your dog Fido walk into the backyard to check your garden, but your garden’s progress also impresses the neighborhood rabbit. There it sits, nibbling your lettuce. You point him out to Fido, hoping the dog will chase the freeloader away. The rabbit freezes as Fido looks left, then right, …

On a wonderful, run-of-the-mill Fourth of July holiday with fireworks earlier this month, Southern California was hit with two consecutive, horrible earthquakes. Just before the first earthquake, being a SoCal resident, our pets began to bark, squack, and whimper. My dog immediately jumped up, only to begin barking at us with a ferocity and sense …

Adopting a pet is awesome. It’s priceless to say the least. You can’t just bring any pet home though. Nope that just won’t do. In the eyes of many pet lovers from all around, you need to adopt a mutt. Not only is the month of July known for National Mutt Day (which is July …

Living in South Florida, just a few miles from the Everglades, I witness the wonders of nature in my backyard daily. From the herons and egrets that feast on the mollusks in our lake, to the iguanas and turtles that sun on our seawall, I never know what creature will pay a visit. Wading birds …

Owning a dog comes with great responsibility, time and cost. When deciding to get a dog, there needs to be careful consideration as to whether you are able to provide the pup with the best life possible. If you’re like me and have a full-time job that means you’re out from 7am and not back …

Dog boarding facilities are extremely popular these days, allowing pet owners to travel – whether for quick weekends or extended holidays – knowing that their pets are being well-cared for while they’re away. But many pet owners also like to take their dogs with them on their travels when feasible. Nowadays, in fact, more and …

As a Financial Planner, it’s second nature for me to evaluate every major life decision from a financial standpoint. I want to ensure that I can afford not only the upfront costs, but the long-term costs too. When my husband and I added our dog, Kyra, to our family, I also added 2 new lines …

Socializing your pup is a huge part in shaping your dog’s behavior for the rest of their life. The idea is to get your dog used to as many sights, smells, and sounds as possible in order for them to build positive impressions of their surroundings.  This way you’ll have a well-adjusted, confident pup who …

The Shih Tzu is a long-lived breed with a lifespan of 10-18 years according to the America Kennel Club which leads most vets to classify a nine to 10-year-old as a senior. My Shih Tzu, Leia, celebrated her 12th birthday this summer and has been experiencing many of the age-related issues common in small breed …

Bringing a new puppy into your home can be an exciting time. If you’ve recently taken home a  new fur friend, we’re willing to be you’ve recently spent your days soaking up the sweet kisses, basking in the warm cuddles and, let’s be honest, have probably filled up your camera with adorable sleeping puppy photos. …

What Is Melatonin? Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone that is created by our pineal glands when we are in darkness. Melatonin is the result of the amino acid tryptophan being converted to serotonin, which is known as a “happy” neurotransmitter, which is then converted to acetylation, methylation, and finally melatonin. Melatonin is produced in …

Like humans, dogs can suffer from stress and anxiety in their day to day lives. Anything can trigger anxiety in your dog, from the front bell ringing to the sound of your neighbor’s dog barking next door. My own dog, Axelle, has a very real fear of the sound of running water, and she runs …

How often you feed your dog can have a huge impact on their energy levels, weight, and general health. After some trial and error, we have found a feeding schedule that works very well for our Boston terrier, Nickel, who has a bit of a sensitive stomach. Along the way, we learned a lot about …

So we can all agree that dogs are incredible. They are our constant companions, giving us comfort, playtime, and plenty of life lessons. However, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that cats are pretty cool too. Our cat, Kitticus Maximus – or Kiki for short, joined our home around two …

So you’ve confirmed that your dog is pregnant and now your watch has begun! Sure, sometimes it can be confusing and stressful especially if it’s your first time dealing with a pregnant dog. However, taking care of an expectant dog isn’t much complicated as long as you know the basics. Just for the heads up; …

While it is lovely to be able to holiday with your dog, realistically, this is not always possible for everyone.  Perhaps you are planning a trip abroad, or maybe you are attending a family event that dogs are not allowed to be at.  Sometimes it may be a work commitment or even a family emergency. …

Dog daycare facilities are becoming increasingly popular places for dogs to go during the day while their owners are at work.  While a well-run daycare can be a great place for a sociable dog to spend the day, if the facility if poorly run or the dog is not keen on spending time in a …

Acupuncture, the insertion of needles into certain pressure points on the body to stimulate healing, is an alternative therapy that is growing in popularity as a complementary treatment for dogs and other pets.   This form of treatment still courts criticism from some in the field of medicine, but it’s proponents suggest that it is a …

We all know that moving house can be a stressful time, it is important to remember that it can be an equally stressful time for our four-legged family members too.  By doing some advanced planning, being organised on the day, and following a few simple steps once you are into your new pad, you can …

Does your dog flee to the bathtub every time the sky darkens with a summer storm? Or shake uncontrollably with every bang from fireworks on the fourth of July? If so, you’re not alone. Noise phobia is a serious problem that can lead to a sharp decline in your pooch’s quality of life, especially if …

While we would all love our dogs to live to a ripe old age and then drift away peacefully in their sleep in the comfort of their own home, it is important to remember that a natural death for many dogs would result in drawn-out suffering and stress.  Sometimes, despite our desires, owners may be …