Pet Blog By Bocci @ Bocci's Beefs: 7/1/14

Thursday, July 31, 2014

It's National "Mutt" Day!

Fabulous photo of me (a Mutt) by Rachel Lauren Photography

Today's the day, I've been waiting for all year...it's National Mutt Day! A day to celebrate all the wonderful doggie blends out there and to call attention to adoption. Why adoption? Because just about 75% of all dogs in shelters are mutts, mixed breeds or blends, whatever you prefer to call us, and these sweet pooches are all in need of a loving home. The goal of National Mutt Day is to get 10,000 dogs adopted nationwide, both today and on December 2. The number will put a nice dent in the shelter populations, while those humans adopting will gain a loyal, loving family member—a win-win situation if I've ever heard one!

To read more about National Mutt Day and what you can do to help this worthy cause, check out DogTime Media's article on today's big day, or visit the National Mutt Day website. Thanks for all you do to help animals in need!

BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop!

In the waning days of July—otherwise known as Pet Safety Month—the good folks at BlogPaws are still posting safety tips galore! But it's almost the "Dog Days of August"...what are you planning to make it through the year's eighth (and maybe hottest) month with your pooch?

Meanwhile, back at the Ohio ranch...

I've been digging in the garden (note muddy paws)

And stealing other dogs' balls at the dog park. How about you?

And to add to all that fun, let's join up with the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop and meet some new friends (who might have balls I can steal!)

Dogs and Their Emotions: A Surprising New Study!

I don't have a jealous bone in my body, do I Parental Unit? Fabulous photo of me by Rachel Lauren Photography

When some of you humans talk to dogs like babies, or ascribe human emotions like anger, jealousy or even vindictiveness to your four-legged companions, most of you might not have really believed what you were saying, thinking instead that you were really just "anthropomorphizing". But science is catching up to what you knew intuitively, even when you tried to talk yourselves out of it: Dogs (and other animals) have rich emotional lives.

Take a recent peer-reviewed, scientific study discussed in this CNN article, that confirmed dogs at least acted jealous when their owners petted and sweet-talked a stuffed dog. Among their displays of jealousy were barking, trying to get between the toy dog and their owner and even nipping at the offending pooch. These results mirrored those conducted with 6 month old human babies who displayed signs of jealousy when their mothers gave affection to human dolls. What might this mean?
"These results lend support to the hypothesis that jealousy has some 'primordial' form that exists in human infants and in at least one other social species besides humans," the study said.

Say what you will about those other silly canines, but I can tell the difference between a stuffed animal and a real one...although Parental Unit claims I once barked at a statue of a dog. Just for the record, I have no recall of that scenario.

Let us know what you think—do the conclusions of this study surprise you?

Goat and Burro Share A Friendship To Warm Your Heart

Most of us who live with and observe animals know intuitively how deeply they feel...for us and for one another. This video will still surprise you, though, because it demonstrates the depth of those feelings between an unlikely barnyard pair: a goat and burro. Hope this brightens your Saturday!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the science behind the emotions of dogs—yes,your favorite pooch is really jealous!

Pet 360 Inforgraphic Details Pet Summer Safety Tips

Our friends at Pet360 have culled the top pet summer safety tips and created a clever info graphic—perfect for posting on your fridge. That way, all family members are on the same page about caring for your furry best friends. We think it's a great idea!

BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop!

The good folks at BlogPaws are continuing to celebrate and promote Pet Safety Month throughout July—check out this excellent post on pet swimming pool safety!

Meanwhile, back at the Ohio ranch, I can assure you I don't get near a swimming pool. In fact, I even jump over water puddles on my walks...and don't even get me started with baths!

This is the closest I want to come to water...notice all four of my paws are planted on terra firma.

Now off to join the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop and meet some new buddies!

To Catch A Feline Thief

Parental Unit has a new name for me: Thief! Does this look like the face of a robber baron to you? Meow!

I don't know why she's suddenly upset about my stealing because I've been in the robbery business for years now. I've whisked away countless numbers of Parental Unit's shiny, often round objects (translation: jewelry and semi-expensive decorative possessions) and hidden them throughout the house. Believe me, she has no idea where my hiding places are, and I intend to keep it that way.

Take this example: Last week, Parental Unit was on a conference call and took off one of her new earrings so it wouldn't accidentally disconnect the call. It just so happens that her good friend had given her these earrings for her birthday, and she just loved them. After she finished the call, she looked for her earring that she had placed on the desk. Well, now she only has one earring to love...

Note complete earring on left and one piece of the other earring on the right. Parental Unit found the piece on the right on the stairs. Drat! Must have dropped in transport! Note to self: Be more careful carrying delicate objects next time...

"It's like it disappeared into thin air," she exclaims aloud every so often while sadly nodding her head. I feel safe in asking you cat owners if you have any idea where my hiding places could be, because I know you'll never guess. But go ahead, give Parental Unit some ideas so she can continue to search every inch of the house with her trusty flashlight. HeHeHe...

How To Greet Your Dog

Beautiful illustration by Jackie Clark Mancuso

This wonderful article from Modern Dog Magazine discusses in great detail what so many of us (both humans and dogs) have known in our hearts for eons—that touching is good for our souls, and that in turn, is good for our happiness. Science continues to show us what wonderful things can happen when humans and dogs interact, but according to recent studies, this mutual love-fest benefits our canine companions even more than we might have realized. In fact, "there are now methods to determine...[a dog's emotional state] scientifically," by measuring the amounts of oxytocin (that feel-good hormone) released into the bloodstream. Researchers also measured the release of the stress hormone, cortisol, which "often appears in times of unease, fear, tension and anxiety."

The bottom-line from these studies is that when you greet your dog after an absence (no matter how long or short the absence), the greatest level of the dog's release of oxytocin is when you use both your voice and touch. Conversely, "...the drop in cortisol levels was sharpest when the person used both voice and touch in their greeting." The cool part is that when both voice and touch were used together, the pooch seemed to remained happier for a longer time after the greeting, than when the human used just voice or did not engage at all with the dog.

So you know what this means, don't ya? Say "hello" and pet your dogs lavishly each time you return home...even if you're just returning from getting the paper or taking out the trash—it will be good for both of you and strengthen the beautiful bond you already have.

Speaking of touch...I certainly engaged Parental Unit's weekend houseguest, her former college roommate. Good thing she loves dogs!

The Feline Office Helper...

From what I've seen, most dogs (like me) rest quietly by their Parental Units' sides while said Parental Units are hard at work on their computer or other office equipment. But not so the feline.
Just look at these cats caught in acts of office destruction.

We hope you get a chuckle from these outrageous kitties...and come to realize (if you haven't already) what wonderful and superior companions we dogs are!

P.S. Stay tuned tomorrow for unique tips on how to greet your dog. Yes, I said how you should greet your pooch, not the other way around!

And The Winner Of The ASPCA Deluxe Pet Safety Kit Is...

We can hardly wait to choose the winner of this nifty pet safety kit, generously donated by our friends at the ASPCA! As usual, we've put our trust in Ran dom.org's, Random Sequence Generator to choose our winner. We entered the numbers 1-11 because there are 11 comments...but please note: If the first number at the top of the list was either #5 (Bailey indicated they were not entering) or #10 (spam comment), we would have simply run the sequence generator again.

As luck would have it, neither of those two comments was chosen.

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:

Timestamp: 2014-07-17 22:49:38 UTC

The first number is 11 and the last and 11th comment was left by Wendy S.! Let's all put our paws together in a round of applause for Wendy! And many thanks to all who entered-as always, we appreciate your support!

P.S. Don't forget to check out the ASPCA's super cool mobile app for pet parents. It gives you lots of nifty ways to keep your pet safe and healthy!

BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop!

The good folks at BlogPaws are still helping us all celebrate Pet Safety Month with great ideas, photo contests and giveaways. But don't miss this week's picture of Edie the adorable Pug, who's working hard on behalf of the Ontario SPCA!

Meanwhile, back at the Ohio ranch...Here are just a few photos of me (and Ms. Bella) working hard in our neck of the woods.

Here, I appear to be interested in something Parental Unit is holding...a treat, per chance?

One needs to rest after playing ball.

And my feline companion makes a fine pillow after a hard day's work!

Now before we're all too tired, let's head over to the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop!

PetMD: The Truth About Keeping Your Pets Cool In Summer

I was pretty warm in this picture, but had lots of water and soon moved into the air-conditioned indoors.

We've all probably seen endless "tips" on how to make sure your pets keep cool during the summer heat, but we thought these seven tips (complete with slide show) from PetMD were particularly important and worth sharing and discussing. Why? Because they debunk some of the common myths about keeping your pet cool, like shaving your dog or cat (a big NO), and explain exactly why these myths are, well, myths. And by understanding the "why" behind the tips, you can feel comfortable that you're making the right choices for your pet.

These tips also remind us that certain breeds are more prone to heat-related problems because their cute, but smashed in faces (it's called brachycephalic) simply don't allow them to breath as well. Owners of these pets (both dogs and cats) must be extra cautious during hot weather. And these tips also highlight what to avoid, like long outings in midday and hot sand or asphalt (our pets paw pads are sensitive and unprotected against the elements).

Parental Unit claims she's shocked by the number of pet owners she's heard say that they shave their pets during the summer to keep them cool. In fact, it's just the opposite: the "layers of a pets coat actually help protect them from overheating and sunburn." But you should brush your pets more frequently during the summer to reduce loose hair.

Let us know what ideas you have for keeping your pets cool and safe during hot weather—we'd love you to share!

One Cat + One Hammock = Too Much Fun!

This gorgeous kitty loves playing with and in his very own, cat-sized hammock. One minute of pure fun!

Pudgy Pets Go To Boot Camp!

Golden Retriever, Ceili, trying to take of the pounds at fat camp. Photo by Mel Evans/AP

We concerned pet owners already know that there's been practically an epidemic of pet obesity in the U.S. in recent years. In fact, number of overweight or obese dogs, for example, has increased 8%—from 45 % just four years ago to a whopping 53% today. And this article in a recent Washington Post doesn't shy away from telling us the fallout from that trend: Increasing rates of diabetes, joint problems, heart disease and decreased life expectancy for both dogs and cats, just like their human counterparts.

To the rescue, or to cash in on this problem of increasing pet girth, are pet "fat farms", where Fido can go for a week of intense exercise, like treadmill workouts or "Pawlates", "Doga" or even "Barko Polo", an interactive pool game. And the spa-like amenities continue with doggie facials "a cleansing massage that wipes away organic food crumbs and exercise-induced slobber."

If this all sounds a bit much, consider the cost: The Morris Animal Inn in New Jersey, which has been offering three camps a year since 2009, charges $59 a day or $$249 for a five day camp. If you still haven't flinched, make sure to do your research on any facility where you leave your pooch-as in nearly every industry, there are charlatans who according to this article, "compromise safety for quick cash"

We'd love to know whether you'd consider weight loss camp for your dog-please let us know!

BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop

We continue to roll through pet safety month over at BlogPaws and across the nation (see important tips on dog BBQ safety on our Facebook page). Our friends at BlogPaws are also celebrating their early bird pricing for their 7th Pet Blogging and Social media Conference in Nashville (May 2015). Check it out!

Meanwhile, back at the Ohio ranch, July has been a mix of extraordinarily beautiful sunny days and hideously hot and humid weather with severe thunderstorms ripping through every few days. Sound familiar?
I still manage to chase squirrels, though...

Now how about we all go hoppin' at the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop?

Dogs Versus Birds And Birders...Is There A Compromise?

Dog and birds apparently co-existing (for the moment) in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Photo: Yana Paslova for The New York Times.

An unleashed dog in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Some dog owners say bird-watchers have aggressively confronted them and their pets there.

An unleashed dog in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Some dog owners say bird-watchers have aggressively confronted them and their pets there.

Parental Unit is torn: She firmly believes that all dogs need tons of outdoor exercise, including off-leash time whenever possible, and parks close to one's home make that possible. Except...off leash dogs that are not in a specifically designated and fenced, off-leash dog park can be a nuisance at best, and a physical threat to humans, other dogs and wildlife, at worst. This New York Times blog post is actually pretty funny, if it weren't, well, kinda scary.

Apparently there is quite the rift between dog owners and birders in Brooklyn's Prospect Park: Dog owners claim that the birders are downright "mean", and the birders claim that the dog owners are "arrogant". And it appears that the 'twain won't be meeting anytime soon in this 585 acre urban green space. The conflict seems to really be about which species gets to enjoy nature...in the most natural way. Unfortunately, the fact is that "dogs distress birds and can trample the delicate underbrush where birds feed and nest", and it's a lot easier to prevent your dog from distressing and trampling when they're on a leash. Perhaps most importantly, the ordinances for this park require that dogs can only be "untethered" in three of the park's meadows, and only before 9:00 am and after 9:00pm, but dog owners routinely disregard this requirement.

Currently, the City's Park Enforcement Patrol has planted two plain clothes officers in the park, who have issued 141 dog-related summons so far this year, nearly the number issued in all of 2013. And the situation is so heated, the Patrol won't reveal whether their officers are posing as bird watchers or dog owners, "out of concern for the safety of the P. E. P. officers". Yikes!

Let us know if you have similar troubles in your neck of the woods, and whose side you come out on. We'd love to know!

Black and White Sunday Pet Blog Hop

We thought we'd link up with all of our friends enjoying Black and White Sunday today.

Fab photo of me by Rachel Lauren Photography

Many thanks to the hosts of this cool blog hop, our friends at: Sugar the Golden Retriver (Golden Woofs) and Dachshund Nola.

Now let's go to the hop!

Will This Dog Succeed?

Most dogs can get just about anyone to play fetch for at least a few minutes...but maybe not this poor pooch. Watch this 42 second video to find out why—you'll wish it were longer!

Avoid The Fireworks And Pets Combo

Does your pooch hide under the covers when she hears non-stop loud booming noises, aka fireworks?

Never fear—the ASPCA has some sound strategies for ensuring that your pets remain safe this July 4th weekend. We think the biggest takeaway is to keep your dog at home and preferably indoors, at least during your areas' biggest fireworks displays. If you have a fenced yard where Rover typically roams, you may also want to double check the entire perimeter of the fence to make sure there are no visible escape routes, just in case your pooch is outside when a neighborhood kid sets off some personal firework displays. And don't forget that the ASPCA has a brand new interactive pet parent App with lots of nifty features to help protect your furry best friends.

And just so you know we're not playing favorites, the Humane Society of the United States has some timely tips for your pets' 4th of July safety. Remember: it's not just the loud noises but the flashing lights and strong smells that can scare the dickens out of your dog and give him or her the urge to flee. It helps to keep your home's windows closed and leave on the TV or have soothing music playing to help drown-out the outside commotion.

We hope that you and your pets have a fun and safe July 4th weekend! We'll both be hanging out inside, although fireworks don't seem to bother either of us.

BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop!

All of the glorious month of July, the good folks at BlogPaws are celebrating "Pet Safety Month', and since we're just two days away from the July 4th holiday, the one time each year when the most pets are lost, it's quite apropos. And while you're visiting, don't miss the delightful picture of our friend, Sugar, from Golden Woofs!

Back at the Ohio ranch...I've been reading up on the latest July 4th safety tips that humans can take to protect us pets, and will report to you bright and early tomorrow!

All fabulous photos of me by John Clark at Clark Creative