Pet Blog By Bocci @ Bocci's Beefs: 2/1/11

Monday, February 28, 2011

ASPCA Helps To Rescue 349 Dogs From Ohio Sanctuary

You might have already heard this heartbeaking but crazy story, but the ASPCA's perspective is worth reading.

The ASPCA field Investigations team and the Clark county Humane society worked together last Tuesday to rescue 349 dog in various stages of illness from "One More Chance Rescue and Adoption", an obviously failed animal sanctuary near Springfield, Ohio. The local humane society realized that immediate action was needed, and together with ASPCA field workers removed all of the dogs in one day-a herculean task. Unfortunately they also removed 76 dead dogs from the property.

The dogs were taken to an emergency shelter near Columbus where they are receiving medical care from various veterinary groups, including The Ohio State University. "This is a situation that spiraled out of control," said an ASPCA Field Representative. "The shelter operator intended to save animals at risk of euthanasia, but did not have the resources or capacity to provide adequately for these animals."
Read the full article with pictures here:
www.aspca.org/News/National/National-News-Detail.aspx?NDate=20110225&NType=National#News1

We'd love to know what you think...Good intentions gone wrong or something else?

Saturday Pet Blogger Hop!

Happy Saturday to everyone-and whadayasay we go hoppin' right away?!

We'll meet at the Old Elm Tree, chase some squirrels, and then visit everyones' blogs together-how does that sound? P.S. We'll be meeting at the Old Elm Tree every Saturday, O.K.? And if Timmy falls in the well, so be it! We're chasing squirrels and blog hopping!

Photo by www.rachellaurenphotography.com

Here are just a few, easy-to-follow rules for joining this hop:

__ Use the Linky tool provided to sign up. Note: if your blog is not pet-related it will be removed from the list.

__Follow the three hosts at the top of the list (and while you're at it, follow us-we'd appreciate it!)

__ Peruse these fabulous blogs and follow and comment as you desire.

__ Have fun!

Dog Model Contest And Pet Product Giveaway!

We wanted to call your attention to this fun "dog model contest"and pet product giveaway by EO Products. This company has long provided natural and organic body care products for humans and has recently launched its pet care line that features organic Lavender and Aloe shampoo and conditioner, and Citrus and Mint groomer for dogs. Sounds delicious to us!

O.K. We promise not to eat it!

So here's the contest and giveaway: EO products is hosting a dog model contest from February 22-March 8, 2011, so there's still plenty of time to enter. If you're one of the five chosen winners, you'll receive a full set of EO pet care products and your dogs' image will be used to help promote the pet care line on EO's website, Facebook page, newsletter, and possibly product labels. Here's the direct link to their entry form:
www.eoproducts.com/press_room/promotions/eo_pet_contest.aspx.
We have to say-it's a snap to enter-we just did! Check out my picture on their Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/pages/EO-Products/370792511937?ref=mf

Pet Obesity-Nearing An Epidemic

When Parental Unit and I read this article published in yesterday's Huffington Post, and then saw the accompanying video from The Wall Street Journal, we became concerned. A recent study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention showed that over one half of all dogs and cats in the U.S. are either overweight or obese. To this I say: "Yikes-we're following in our humans' footsteps"! And of course, this increasing pet obesity rate leads to a plethora of related ailments like diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems-sound familiar?

Read the full article here: www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/23/pet-obesity-overweight-dogs-cats_n_827017.html

And according to this article, guess who's responsible? It's mostly you Parental Units out there who both overfeed Fido and Kitty, and fail to ensure they get enough exercise. No offense to some Parental Units, but going for a daily walk with your dog is not only necessary for the dog, but great exercise for you as well (Hehehe). So why not take the pledge right now: I promise that I will take my beloved pooch for at least one, 30 minute walk every day...even if the weather isn't perfect or I just don't feel like it! And depending on your dog's energy level, build up from there. I know that my preferred daily walking schedule is a 45 minute to one hour walk in the morning, and another 20-30 minute walk in the evening.
(Now, Parental Unit must admit that we don't always go for that second walk in the winter...)

I think I can safely speak for my fellow canines...we live for just a few simple things in our short lives: being with you, going for walks (with you) and eating food. So why deny us something so basic to our physical and mental health like taking us for a daily walk-it nabs two of our favorite things at once!

How many of you will join us and take the pledge today?

Wordless Wednesday

Bad weather=sleep on couch

...Or bed.

Dogs Do The Talking In D.C.

Even in the offices of a United States Senator, it seems. In today's New York Times (the Op-Ed section no less) is a charming piece by Colin H.P. Buckley, who gives us the inside scoop on his job in the late Senator Edward Kennedy's office. Buckley, an Irish Catholic born and raised in Boston, grew up idolizing the Red Soxs and the Kennedy brothers. So, when he moved to Washington to attend grad school, he was determined to get a job in the Senator's office-dreaming of his future role as an advisor, or even speechwriter for the man he so admired.

Well, he managed to get a job as an intern in Senator Kennedy's office and was assigned such duties as "making copies, keeping records and answering phones." Then one day his luck changed, and he was assigned to respond to correspondence addressed to "Splash", the Senator's Portuguese Water Dog, who frequently accompanied the Senator to work. (Note: It was Senator Kennedy who gave Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, to President Obama and family as a gift).

At that time (about five years ago), Senator Kennedy had penned a children's book titled "My Senator and Me", that "depicts a day in the life [of the Senator] from Splash's perspective." The book included an e-mail address "where curious young readers could reach the supposedly computer-savvy Splash." And you guessed it, Mr. Buckley became the voice of Splash, ending each reply e-mail with "Woof, Woof!! Splash." See! Even Senator's dogs have assistants- hehehhe. Enjoy reading the full piece here:
www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/opinion/22buckley.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

It turns out that Splash passed away in December, a little over a year since he lost his master ( or pack leader, as we prefer to say.) And today would have been Senator Edward Kennedy's 79th birthday.

A Young Dog Lover Worth Emulating

Remember last week when we promised to introduce you to a young lady who has found her calling? Well, Parental Unit and I were able to interview our friend, Meg just yesterday, and we're thrilled to bring you excerpts from that interview today. Meg is the daughter of one of Parental Unit's friends, who we know to be a long-time animal lover. And we also know that Meg has been shadowing a veterinarian, her chosen career, for over four years. Now get this: Meg just turned twelve, so that means she's been shadowing this vet since she was about seven or eight years old. (Parental Unit says she could probably say "Hello" pretty well at that age, but that's about it).

So here's what Meg has to say about helping animals in need, her chosen career...and a new addition to their household this spring.

Parental Unit: So Meg, I hear you did something pretty special for your birthday celebration this year.

Meg: I invited a few friends over for a party and decided to ask them to bring a small donation to the American Humane Society instead of bringing presents for me.

Parental Unit: We think that's pretty nice of you, Meg! How much were you able to donate?

Meg: We donated $250 to the Humane Society.

Bocci: Whoa! $250 bucks! What a ~~lotta~~ ~~loot for treats~~ nice sum of money to donate. I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

Parental Unit: What did your friends say about your unusual birthday request?

Meg: My friends thought it was a great idea-they were excited to give!

Parental Unit: I know that you want to be a veterinarian, and you've been shadowing a vet for quite a few years, Meg. What exactly do you do when you visit the clinic?

Meg: I go with the veterinarian and her staff when she sees each patient, help out when I'm asked, and usually just listen and learn a lot from the experience. I also get to observe during surgeries, "I don't get freaked out by blood and all that other stuff."

Bocci: Blood? I'm starting to feel woozy...clunk!

Parental Unit: Just ignore Bocci, he'll be fine. Do you plan to help out any other animal organizations in the future?

Meg: I have a good friend who's interested in helping animals, too, and right now we're doing some research on puppy mills. We'll probably write letters [to raise awareness] when we get more information. And we're looking into more ways to raise money-we're probably going to expand into [more formal] fundraisers soon.

Bocci: O.K. I'm feeling better now-just had some water and a biscuit to normalize my blood sugar. Great about that fundraising thing, Meg. Just let me know when you get ~~more loo~~t money to donate. I've got just the ~~dog treats to buy~~ animal organization that would be grateful for your donation.
Speaking of dogs, I hear you've got plans for a new addition to your household!

Meg: Yes, Bocci, this spring we're looking forward to bringing home a Wired Hair Pointing Griffon puppy!

Parental Unit: That's exciting, we'll look forward to visiting and taking lots of pictures!

Bocci: Oh boy, I can hardly wait to meet the little rascal! I'll be happy to pass on all the ways I've learned ~~to avoid getting caught doing something bad~~ to strictly obey all of Parental Unit's commands.

Meg: Sure thing, Bocci!

P.S. Parental Unit and I can't help but wonder how many animals in need or other causes could benefit if more young folks would ask for a "donation to a charity or cause instead of presents" for just one birthday... We love this idea!

A hearty "thank-you" to Meg and her family for allowing us to publish this inspiring interview. We'll leave you with a picture of Meg and her late dog, Kelley, whom they lost to old age last year.

Hickory Snubs Sardi's Steak

We just had to bring you this video of that gorgeous doggie, Hickory, the Scottish Deerhound who took Best in Show at last week's Westminster Dog Show. As part of her victory lap tour, Hickory stopped by the famous Sardi's Restaurant the day after her big win to celebrate with a filet mignon, served up by Sardi's owner on a silver platter. But Hickory wasn't havin' any of it...and we mean the steak! What dog is his or her right mind would pass up a steak? Her handler blamed her lack of appetite on just being a bit tired. But we think the steak looked a tad over-cooked, and probably wasn't grass-fed... The nerve!

Happy Saturday to everyone-and whadayasay we go hoppin' right away?!

We'll meet at the old elm tree, chase some squirrels, and then visit everyone's blogs together-how does that sound?

February Is...

Not only Pet Dental Health Month, but were you aware that it's also Pet Spay and Neuter Month? (It's national Pot Roast Month, too, and Parental Unit just made a teriffic pot roast..., but I digress).

Anyway, back to the serious issue of spaying and neutering our pets. As we know, spaying and neutering our beloved fur friends is one of the key components in fighting pet over-population, and in turn, preventing the likely death of millions more dogs and cats in over-crowded shelters.

We wanted to pass on this wonderful article by shelter veterinarian. Dr. Kwane Stewart, DVM, and the "go-to" vet for that wonderful organization, Found Animals.org. This article, titled "Spaying or Neutering is Healthy For Your Pet", is included in today's Found Animal's Newsletter, and centers on debunking the myths that still linger about spaying and neutering.

Read and enjoy it here: http://www.foundanimals.org/pet-care/ask-experts/spaying-or-neutering-healtyour-pet?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=February+2011+Pet+Club+Dog&cm_pla=Found+Animals+Pet+Club+-+Dog&cm_ite=http%3a%2f%2fwww.foundanimals.org%2fpet-care%2fask-experts%2fspaying-or-neutering-healthy-your-pet&cm_lm=jdemarti@columbus.rr.com&cm_ainfo=2011-02-Pet-Club-Dog&att1=&att2=%%__AdditionalEmailAttribute2%%&att3=%%__AdditionalEmailAttribute3%%&att4=%%__AdditionalEmailAttribute4%%&att5=%%__AdditionalEmailAttribute5%%.

Meanwhile, it was 63 degrees here in Ohio, and Parental Unit and I went on a nice long afternoon hike. And I'm excited to say that this was my first chance to use my new Kyjen backpack-don't I look spiffy?

"Warm Nights, Cold Noses": The Pros And Cons Of Sleeping With Your Pet

Pigs in a blanket, anyone? Do you remember those incredibly bad-for-you appetizers that consisted of a mini sausage wrapped in store-bought dough and heated till puffed in the oven, that were eerily called "Pigs in a Blanket"? (I don't remember, but Parental Unit says that she made them as part of earning a Girl Scout badge about a hundred years ago). Perhaps I digress, but maybe not. In today's New York Times, Home Section, there's a front page article about our increasing tendency to sleep with our pets, titled "Warm Nights, Cold Noses".
And the 3/4 page cover photo is of a single gal (wonder why) all cuddled up under the blankets with her potbellied pig, Trixie.

You know, I've been allowed to sleep on the bed since practically my first night here, which was something new for 'clean freak" Parental Unit, but now she says she can't imagine it any other way. But it's really only Bella (the cat) and I that are sharing her covers, unlike the gal in the article who shares her bed with not only the pig, but two kittens, three dogs and an occasional rabbit. Here's what she says about her largest bed partner: "She's a great cuddler if you lie still...but if you're restless, she gets annoyed and her hooves are very sharp...and [the gal] has the black-and-blue marks to show for it."

The benefits of being close to a living, breathing, and loving creature, at night and otherwise, are well documented: loving touches and cuddles raise levels of the hormone that makes us feel content and serve as an "...emotional balm, especially for the depressed, lonely or anxious."

So we're all warm, cuddly and happy at night and guess who has to go ruin it all? Yep, our friends at the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who published a recent study detailing all of the diseases we can get from sleeping with our furry friends. The list seems endless and a little bit scary, ranging from flea and tick bites that spread bubonic plague, to cat scratch fever and various forms of meningitis. Check out this very interesting and sometimes funny article, (with lots of pictures of cute, snoozing animals) right here: www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/garden/17pets.html?_r=1&hpw.

So what's the scoop in your house-do let your furry best friends share your bed? Like, ahem, someone we all know and love?

Wordless Wednesday

Valentine's Day Tally And Another Perspective On Rare Dog Breeds

It's good to know that the overwhelming present our furfriends, including me, received for Valentine's Day was extra love and attention-with special treats following a close second. Now of course, that's according to our very informal blog poll:-) Don't we all need and enjoy extra love and attention????

Given that it's Westminster week, there was a two page spread in the Sports Section of today's New York Times titled, "Dog Shows Rare Breeds Are Glimpse Of History." This article presented Parental Unit and me with a different perspective on the reasons for dog breeding-purebred dogs can be regarded as living representations of history, or as the article said, " Much like an heirloom rose or tomato, the dogs are living artifacts of a bygone era kept alive by a group of passionate breeders." "I think it's very cool that you look at a painting of dogs from 200 years ago, and they look like dogs that we have today," said Joellen Gregory, owner of a rare breed known as the Otterhound. (Only 1000 Otterhounds are known to exist, and one, Baxter, will be competing in this year's show.)
Enjoy the full article here: www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/sports/15dogs.html?_r=1&hpw

Now, I prefer that humans don't compare us dogs to a flower or a fruit, but I get the analogy, and do think it's pretty neat that canine lineage can be a part of representing a historic timeframe.

Parental Unit and I are going to be watching the Westminster Dog show from our usual spot on the couch, where sometimes there isn't much room for Parental Unit... will you be watching?

In Honor Of Valentine's Day...

We wanted to bring you some interesting tidbits from the New York Times. First, there was an article in yesterday's Sunday Styles section titled, "Who Are You Calling Ugly" about the ancient, but rare breed of dog called the Xoloitzcuintli (I dare you to try and pronounce it, even with the help provided in the article), who some have called "plug-ugly." It has recently regained its AKC status, by the way, and will be featured (although not competing), at the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show that starts today. As this article says, "One description of this hairless canine of ancient lineage, a national treasure in its native Mexico, characterizes the Xolo as a hot water bottle with pig eyes, bat ears and a rat tail. That is being polite."

Now we all know that "beauty is more than skin deep" or do we? Do humans really choose a dog (or a mate for that matter), by the way they look? Unfortunately, according to this article, many of us probably do. Although the article is limited to dogs only, it does discuss why some dog breeds become "fads", and the answers are not flattering. It made us wonder if humans apply the same standards to choosing their pets as they do for choosing a mate. According to the executive secretary of the AKC interviewed for the article, "Breeds come and go into and out of fashion...people see dogs in movies, and they fall for the pooch on the screen." Think: People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" or super-models that so many try to emulate, or "Black Dog Syndrome", for that matter. This makes us terribly sad, particularly for the dogs who have no choice in the quality of the human who chooses them for their companions.
Read the full, fascinating article here: www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/fashion/13DOGS.html?_r=1&ref=fashion.

On a lighter note, today's Times included a funny Valentine's Day "Op-Art" piece by the designer, Ji Lee, for the Cupids among us. Which Cupid are you? Enjoy that here: www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/14/opinion/14oped-valentine.html?
scp=1&sq=Pick%20Your%20Cupid&st=cse

Happy Valentine's Day to all our friends! Let me give you all a great big kiss...

What Will You Get Your Furry Valentine?

There's no doubt that most of us love our pets like (or almost like) we love the people in our lives. So the next logical thought is: will you give your furfriend some token of "love" on Valentine's Day, the day so many of our societies around the globe have chosen to celebrate love? And if so, what will you give them?

Well, the folks at Iams, the makers of pet food and other pet products, decided to be proactive and take a survey, and here's what they found:

__ Almost one-third (29%) of those surveyed planned to buy their pets edible or chewable treats of some sort, like rawhides, chews, or canned food.

__12% will purchase "fun toys".

__4% will buy their furry beloved a new outfit.

__ 3% will shun the commerical route and shower their pets with "Lots of Love".

__ And 11% remain undecided. (Parental Unit says she's still undecided, but claims I will receive something special, in addition to the "lots of love", which I must admit, I get regularly.)

So please tell us: Are you going to present your pets with something special for the big
"Love Day" tomorrow, and if so, what will you give? We can hardly wait to tally the results!

In the meantime, here we are eagerly awaiting our special gifts.

The Saturday Pet Bloggger Hop!

But first, here's a preview of some upcoming events here at Bocci's Beefs: We'll be bringing you interviews with a pet activist whose devoted the last few years to fighting puppy mills and dog auctions, a nationally known animal rights lawyer, and a young lady who has found her calling helping animals. Plus, we'll be announcing a new partnership, complete with give-a-way!

Now let's go to the Hop everyone!
Here are just a few, easy-to-follow rules for joining this hop:

__ Use the Linky tool provided to sign up. Note: if your blog is not pet-related it will be removed from the list.

__Follow the three hosts at the top of the list (and while you're at it, follow us-we'd appreciate it!)

__ Peruse these fabulous blogs and follow and comment as you desire.

__ Have fun!

Chaser On The Today show

Remember the post we wrote last month on Chaser, that super-smart Border Collie that knows 1,022 nouns? Don't fret if you missed it, check it out now: boccibeefs.blogspot.com/2011/01/chaser-border-collie-1022-proper-nouns.html

Anyway, Chaser, his owner, and the scientist who's trying to make sense of this remarkable dog's learning skills were on the Today show just a few days ago. We thought it was worthy of a few minutes of your time to watch-as Matt Lauer said, "This isn't dog tricks, this is science."

What do you think: "tricks" or real learning? We'd love to hear your opinions!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Team Up With GREENIES And The American Animal Hospital Association!

In celebration of National Pet Dental Health Month, (that's this month, folks!) GREENIES Brand pet dental treats is partnering with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to support their Helping Pets Fund, a charitable organization that provides financial support for sick or injured pets that are in need of veterinary care. This fund makes a wide range of veterinary services available for pets whose owners have either abandoned them or do not have the financial means to pay for treatment options. The GREENIES donations *(see exciting details below) "will help to provide life-saving oral surgeries for dogs and cats in need."

Here's the scoop: There's an organization called the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) that's administered by the American Veterinary Dental College. The VOHC is similar to the American Dental Association, but applied to pet products. According to a fact sheet about the VOHC, this organization determines which products on the market are effective on the breakdown of plaque and tartar through stringent clinical research and review, and awards their "seal of acceptance" to these select products. Many veterinarians and pet parents rely on this seal of approval when recommending dental treats or purchasing pet dental products for their beloved pets.
Now, it just so happens that several varieties of GREENIES Brand dental treats have received that VOHC seal of acceptance for the reduction of both plaque and tartar, and the GREENIES Brand would like to promote both pet oral health and highlight the role that this important organization plays in the scientific study of our pets' dental health. So, here are the...

*Exciting Details: For every post written written about the VOHC, the GREENIES Brand will donate $25 to the AAHA's Helping Pets Fund. And...for every use of the #VOHC hashtag on Twitter, either through an original post or re-tweet, the GREENIES Brand will donate $1 to the AAHA's Helping Pet's Fund. And each post will receive public recognition on the GREENIES Facebook page. What a fun way to raise money for pets in need and promote pet oral health at the same time! And you thought that cold, dreary February was only for eating vast amounts of chocolate and counting the number of roses you receive-ha!

So let's get to work and write those posts! And while you're at it, give your friends a call and ask them to help spread the good word, too-that's what I'm going to do right now.

P.S. I've included the links to all of these companies and organizations so you can check them out for yourself before you write your post. As always, we're grateful for your support.

"Wordy" Wednesday And..."Giving New Meaning To The Term 'A Fixer-Upper' "

We couldn't help sharing this article from a recent New York Times. Archie Gottesman is the chairwoman of Animal Haven, a shelter for cats and dogs in New York City, and also happens to own an apartment building in the Lower East side of Manhattan called the Ludlow. So what do you get when you mix a pet activist with a landlord?
A requirement for all new tenants to have their pets spayed or neutered before they move in, and so far, she's had no complaints. Ms. Gottesmann said, "We just wanted to emphasize the pet overpopulation problem." We say, "Hooray for Ms. Gottesman"!

Read the full article here: www.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/nyregion/25appraisal.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Christine%20Haughney/Giving%20New%20Meaning%20to%20the%20Term%20%22Fixer-Upper%22&st=cse

Yep, we're both "fixed" in case you were wonderin'...

Wordless Wednesday

Guarding Bella

Why not stop by the BlogPaws site and hook up your Wordless Wednesday post to this fun Blog Hop!

Speaking Of Pet Emergencies...

Since we were just talking yesterday about some of the common pet illnesses that likely require veterinary care, we thought we'd bring you this list of some of the items that dogs swallow...and then have to have surgically removed. You may get a chuckle when you imagine any pooch actually swallowing these things, but it does happen, and as you can imagine, it can be very dangerous! Now, so far, I just grab and chew but don't swallow, but just because I haven't "swallowed" yet, doesn't mean that I never will. So we're urging you Parental Units out there to always be vigilant with your dog, and keep dangerous items safely stowed away.

This list was printed in the Pet Place.com newsletter and compiled by Veterinary Pet Insurance in 2010. Read and commence to worry!
Note: While socks, sticks, hand towels and rocks were the more typical "snack" choices, the list that follows represents actual items removed from dog bellies in 2010.

jellyfish

glue

estrogen patch/make-up brush

tube of denture adhesive

dead poisoned vole

bikini

ink pen

plastic nose from teddy bear

magnetic purse clasps

baseball

glass Christmas ornament

hearing aid

bed sheet

box of pencils

popsicle stick

avocado pit

dental floss

coffee filter/coffee grounds

fishhook

pain relief tablet/B.B. pellet/highlighter

tent door

toy squeaker

watch

16 steel wool pads

pseudoephedrine/sponge/snail poison/tampon

20 cherry pits

light bulb

barbecue brush

Frisbee

jumper cables

razor blades

uncooked rice (1 pound)

wallpaper paste

squirrel

balloon ribbons

bird (whole)

butter/sand

deer antler (partial)

extension cord

leash/3 sticks of butter

pin cushion

portion of wool rug

tobacco

TV remote control

10 quarters/one penny/one Canadian coin/three arcade tokens

foot-long submarine sandwich

fire log

wooden toy train

pine cone

round chew bone (whole)

caulk

eye glasses

money (paper)

oil-soaked dirt

sand

rosary crucifix

25 to 30 soiled diapers

bath bubble mix

bathtub cleaner/outdoor plants

duck bone

While we're at it, we thought we'd pass on another list provided by the ASPCA consisting of the 10 top toxins that pets most often ingest. And guess what's at the top of the list? Human medications! Check out the full list here: www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.aspx

So after all that, here I am eating something that is perfectly allowable: a dog biscuit offered by grateful students following my recent class lecture!

Welcome Guest Blogger Heather Reynolds!

We're thrilled to bring to you a guest post from our friend, Heather Reynolds, an Internet journalist for Trupanion Health Insurance for pets. Just to let you know, Bocci' Beefs has received no compensation whatsoever from Trupanion or from Heather Reynolds, and we're not in any way touting Trupanion pet health insurance. We haven't yet taken the time to research the variety of companies offering pet health insurance to make a thoughtful and informed choice. But Ms. Reynolds was generous enough to provide us with some of her expertise on pet health issues, gleaned from her work in the pet health insurance industry.

So take it away, Heather!

Pet Health Concerns

Heather Reynolds is a pet lover and Internet journalist at Trupanion pet insurance company.

The health of a pet is of utmost importance to us pet owners. We watch and monitor our pets for the slightest signs of unease or unrest and if we spot something out of the ordinary, we are researching symptoms and causes of different illnesses. And while we hope that our furry friends stay happy and healthy forever, inevitably curiosity or simply bad luck have us rushing to the vet.

So what are some common health issues that affect our beloved pets? I work at Trupanion, a pet insurance company, and we see many similar claims come through our database. If we are aware of common concerns, we are better equipped to recognize what is wrong and therefore we are better equipped to help our pet in his time of need. Here are some of the common issues we see:

Allergies

Dogs and cats can develop allergies just like humans. An allergy is an immune disorder and there are different types, including food allergies, flea allergies, and inhalant allergies. The most common symptom of allergies is itchy skin, however you may also see respiratory issues such as sneezing and wheezing. Treatment may be as mild as changing the pet’s diet to the extreme of allergy shots.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a condition of the ball and socket hip joints in which the ball does not properly fit in the socket. Symptoms include joint pain, limping, and lameness. This condition is diagnosed by examining hips or taking x-rays of the hip joints. Hip dysplasia is treated either surgically or non-surgically. Non-surgical treatments include weight control, exercise control, and medication.

Heart Disease

Heart disease describes many different diseases that affect the heart, including congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and heartworm. Symptoms include fluid retention, faster or slower heart rate, weakness, lethargy and weight loss. Treatment is varied for each condition, but it’s imperative to keep your pets on heartworm preventative to eliminate this one concern.

Obesity

Obesity is an umbrella concern that leads to many other issues, including arthritis, pancreatitis, diabetes, and high blood pressure. To determine if your pet is overweight, run your hands over your pet and feel for the spine, shoulder blades, and ribs. If you have to dig through many layers of fat, there is a most likely a problem. There should also be a well-defined waist and a tight abdomen. Exercise and diet are the best ways to ‘cure’ obesity.

Cancer

Cancer may be one of the scariest conditions our pets could develop. While nothing will help the emotional pain of caring for a dog or cat with cancer, thankfully, with recent advancements in veterinary medicine, there are now treatment options including chemotherapy and radiation. Symptoms are varied for different forms of cancer, but it’s important to run your hands over your pet to feel for lumps every couple months. Other symptoms could include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, weight loss, and diarrhea.

You can never be too informed when it comes to your pet. Pets bring us so much joy and happiness, and keeping a keen eye on them for any signs of illness is the least we can do to keep them with us for as long as possible.

Thanks Heather! If you're interested in exploring the insurance coverage offered by Trupanion, check out their website here: www.trupanionpetinsurance.com/

SuperBowl Sunday BlogHop!

Isn't it funny what things (like a big, fat football game) unite us Americans? How many of you are already settling in to watch the hundred hour marathon of "pre-game" shows, all the while inhaling your favorite treats...hey, did someone say treats? We dogs better get some of those! After all, who's going to be sitting next to you on the couch all afternoon and all evening, forsaking our daily walk so you can remain glued to the TV? Huh?

Anyway, let's get on with the celebration! Our friends at All Things Dog Blog came up with this fabulous idea of a Super Bowl Dog Blog Hop-just link up your favorite picture of your pooch playing with a football and maybe even write a post to go along with it, and link it to the hop below. Then we all get to see your best friend participating in the game day celebrations.

If you have a spare moment today, why don't you stop by Bocci's Beefs and tell us who you're rooting for and why? We can't quite decide: Parental Unit should favor the Steelers because she grew up in Steubenville, Ohio, a town just 39 miles outside of Pittsburgh, teeming with rabid Steeler fans... but, when she was just a youngster, her first favorite pro-football team was the Packers-way back when Bart Starr was their stellar quarterback. so...help us decide, won't ya?

But first, here I am enjoying Parental Unit's partially deflated football.

Almost have it between my paws for a pass...

Naw, I think I'll just chew on it, instead.

Now, "let's go to the hop, oh baby..."

Saturday Blog Hop... And Dogs Who Sniff Out Cancer

Whoops! We're a bit late in posting the link to the Saturday Hop, but you still have plenty of time to enter! (It's all Parental Unit's fault).

But first, we're pleased to bring you this great news from the medical/dog world. Yes, medical research and dogs seem to be going together these days, as we pooches are helping our human friends "sniff out" all sorts of human medical problems. Speaking of sniffing, did you know that a dog's sense of smell is up to one million times bettter than a human's? We didn't realize the difference was that enormous until we read this piece reported on the Huffington Post blog. It details how Japanese scientists trained a Black Labrador Retriever named "Marine" to detect certain types of cancer with up to 98% accuracy-way better than the blood tests now available. Kudos to Marine! We can only hope that this is part of a larger trend in the dog-human partnership that has "bewitched, bothered, and bewildered" us for thousands of years.
Read the full article here: www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/01/cancer-sniffing-dog_n_816961.html.

Now on to the Saturday blog hop!
We'll be adding this link to our blog every Saturday, so you can sign up right here on Bocci's Beefs. We know many of you are familiar with this great hop, so keep up the good work-and if you're new...well, join us for the fun-est hop around! It's a great way to meet new friends, re-connect with some old pals, and learn from pet lovers around the world.

Here are just a few, easy-to-follow rules for joining this hop:

__ Use the Linky tool provided to sign up. Note: if your blog is not pet-related it will be removed from the list.

__Follow the three hosts at the top of the list (and while you're at it, follow us-we'd appreciate it!)

__ Peruse these fabulous blogs and follow and comment as you desire.

__ Have fun!

The Magical Mutt Mystery Tour!

Thanks to our friends at willmydoghateme.com/, peggyfrezon.blogspot.com, and www.istillwantmorepuppies.blogspot.com/ for coming up with the idea for this fun bloghop-we're thrilled to say that we're an official member of the "Mutt Club" (O.K.we just made up that club name, but we think it's fitting!) Check out any of these blogs for not only incredible and fun pet-related content, but for directions to enter this bloghop!

Meanwhile, here we go with our Magical Mutt Mystery Tour post! I'll let Parental Unit take over from here-hope she's says good things about me...

Bocci jumped into my arms (literally) at our local shelter in June of 2008, and well...the rest is history. He's been a fabulous friend, and surprisingly, he turned out to be a darn good writer, too. Now, I know that we all think our dogs are funny, but Bocci is just a side-splitter-he's willing to chase after anything that even vaguely resembles a toy (particularly if it sqeaks) and has a ton of fun doing it. He loves to try and bat the toys with his paws as they're bouncing-does he think he's going to catch them?

His most amazing quality is that's he's extremely gentle-he puts up with brushing, teeth and ear cleaning, trimming, you name it, and just adores short people...I mean kids. But he's also a darn good watchdog-he's been very selective about his barking and so far he's "Batting 1000." I'm sure he even saved me during one late night walk from a particularly scary dude.

By the way, he's about 18 inches high at the shoulder and weighs 31 pounds. The shelter papers called him a "Terrier Mix", and I'm thinking maybe Schnauzer, Beagle...and a few other things. What do you think are his "blends"?

And dare I say that he's a good lookin' fella? Just take a look at these fabulous photos taken by Rachel at www.rachellaurenphotography.com - he considers her his personal photographer, you know:-)

You rang?

Rin Tin Tin pose.

Meeting at the Old Elm Tree to Discuss Squirrel Eradication.

I can't help but repeat a previous statistic from a post I wrote earlier this week: 75% of all dogs in shelters are mixed breeds, or "blends". Maybe if we figure out why so many mixed breeds end up in shelters, we can finally come up with a way to bring those numbers way down. What do you think?

"You Can Fix The Ones You Love"

Yep, you sure can! We're thrilled to help promote a very special Spay/Neuter campaign by a fantastic organization, Best Friends Animal Society, that we've recently become aware of through our good friends at BlogPaws. Please check out Best Friends' really cool button on our sidebar! Just click it and you'll get links to their website and blog that will give you tons of helpful information about this spay-neuter campaign: it runs from February 1st-15th-just in time for Valentine's Day! You'll also find answers to FAQ about spaying and neutering your pets, a spay/neuter resources library that will direct you to low-cost or free clinics near you, and lots of other ways to help support Best Friends Animal Society and all of their great work. We love their guiding principle: "Kindness to animals builds a better world for all of us." Check out their website here: www.bestfriends.org

We hope you enjoy this absolutely hilarious "Dogumentary film", produced by Best Friends Animal Society to promote their spay/neuter campaign. This film gives us a behind the scene's look at Best Friends' animals "getting gussied up for a night on the town, reminding you to fix the one you love!" It doesn't get any better than this, folks.

Enjoy...and try to get involved in any way you can. As always, we appreciate your support.