Memorial Day Tribute To Human and Canine Soldiers

We originally posted this story and infographic on Memorial Day 2014, but, gosh darn it, we think it's interesting enough to post again!

Human and dog soldiers paying tribute to fallen Marine canines.

As we celebrate the close of a long weekend, hopefully with a cookout and lots of friends and family, we imagine that you will take a few moments to honor our fallen soldiers. Hundreds of thousands of brave men and women have given their lives for our country, and alongside them have fallen countless canine soldiers, who rightfully deserve tribute.

To honor these four-legged heroes, our friends at Pet360 have compiled a fascinating description and accompanying slide show of the most common dog breeds serving our country. We  tend to think of the German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois as the top military dog breeds, but there's a lot we didn't know about the wide variety of breeds used and why.

And to provide a few conversation starters at your picnic today, or if you just like to sound like a know-it-all, Forbes has put together this cool info graphic to help us remember exactly why our country has set aside this day for remembrance of our fallen soldiers.

Here's to a satisfying Memorial Day to all of our blogging friends!

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National Walk Your Dog Week!

I'm ready to go for a walk, Parental Unit! And I'll even carry a few of my own supplies (treats, perhaps?) so I can have a job and burn more calories. 

Who knew that this week ( October 1-7) is National Walk Your Dog Week? Well, we all do now! And we're thrilled to call your attention to this important activity: It's crucial to the health and happiness of both your pet and you, to walk your dog every day. Letting your dog out in the yard, if you're lucky enough to have one, is simply not enough physical and mental stimulation for most dogs. And besides, canines are traveling animals, so walking many miles each day (with their pack leader, of course) is their natural state of being.

In preparation for National Walk Your Dog Week, our good friends at Pet360 surveyed more than 4,000 dog owners to find out how often the average canine is walked by a human companion. And the results are, frankly, a tad disappointing. According to the survey, only 56 percent of dog owners walk their dog at least once per day. What's up with that? And a horrifying 33 percent of the survey's respondents admitted they rarely take their dogs for a walk. 
Parental Unit claims she learned the hard way, that all dogs need more physical and mental stimulation than we think. She still regrets that my predecessor, Carson, a high energy Wire Fox Terrier, didn't get nearly enough exercise for his energy level. Although she took him for one or two fairly short walks every day, that wasn't nearly enough...and lots of destruction and unhappiness ensued. She feels guilty to this day, and firmly believes that her own lack of knowledge and inaction made for a less than optimal life for dear Carson. 

But the good news is that she's more than made up for that with me! In over six years, we've only missed two days of long walks, and both were because of ice storms. Even last year's trio of polar vortex hits didn't keep us indoors! But enough about us.. 

To encourage pet owners to hit the ground running or walking with their four-legged friends this fall, Pet360 has pulled together the Top Five Benefits of Walking Your Dog. The bottom line? Daily walks with your best furfriend provide huge physical and mental benefits for your both. And away you go! 

1.    Promotes Weight Control & Digestive Health – An overweight pet is an unhealthy pet. In addition to regulating your dog’s diet, regular exercise will keep your pet fit, agile, and limber. Daily walks also support your pet’s digestive health and aid in relieving occasional constipation.

2.    Alleviates Destructive Behavior & Hyperactivity – Hitting the pavement with your pup can help reduce or eliminate your pet’s destructive chewing, digging, or scratching. Pets are like children—if you don’t give them something constructive to do, they might take matters into their own paws. Evening walks can also help alleviate pent up energy, helping your dog feel more relaxed at bedtime. Be sure to follow these nighttime safety tips to make sure both you and your pet are protected.

3.    Strengthens Your Bond – Spending quality time together is extremely important to your dog’s behavioral development. Daily walks help strengthen your bond and promote a trusting relationship.

4.    Encourages Socialization – If you have a timid or fearful pet, strolling around the neighborhood can help your pooch build confidence and trust. Walks expose your pet to other humans and animals, which will help him or her adapt to new or intimidating situations. Check out these tips for ensuring stress-free walks with your dog.

5.    Helps Your Health, Too – Walking a pet is sometimes regarded as a chore, but it should be thought of as a way for you and your canine to stay active. Getting outdoors with your pup in tow is beneficial for all involved and may even help you shed a few pounds in the process.

                                 Here's to your good health and happiness!

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National Preparedness Month: Four Top Pet Protection Strategies From Pet 360

Our good friends at Pet 360 recently conducted a survey of over 5,000 pet owners to understand just how many of you are adequately prepared to face a disaster or emergency evacuation with your pets. It turns out that the numbers could certainly improve! In the interest of full disclosure, Parental Unit counts herself among those not prepared for a disaster or evacuation for herself and for Bella and me.

                                Hey, we need to come, too!

In fact, 13% of those surveyed had already been through a disaster or emergency evacuation with their pets—so the danger is real. And of those 13%, a whopping 12% were actually separated from their pets during the emergency. The survey also shows that most pet owners simply aren't prepared for a disaster: 46% do not have an emergency plan in place for their pets; less than 35% have an emergency kit specifically for their pets; and 63% don't even have pet alert stickers in their windows.

But help is on the way! Pet 360, along with Red Paw Emergency Relief Team, have created "The Four  P's of Pet Preparedness".  We suggest that you print these out and have your Parental Units gather the following information and supplies, so your entire family is prepared in case emergency strikes. And what better time to get crackin' than National Preparedness Month?

1.    Plan ahead – Many local and state health and safety regulations do not allow pets to accompany their owners to disaster shelters (Philadelphia DOES allow pets in disaster shelters). Determine the best evacuation plan, including where to go and how to get your pets there safely. Follow this emergency planning checklist, and you’ll be well-prepared.

2.    Practice with your pets – The first step of any pet evacuation plan is to quickly and safely remove your pet from harm’s way. Your pet may be inclined to run and hide when disaster strikes, so be sure to rehearse a "come" command with your dog and identify a reliable way to find your cat, maybe by opening a can of food. Also practice putting your cat in a carrier and getting your dog in and out of the car. The more you practice, the more comfortable they'll be. 

3.    Pack an emergency kit – Assembling an emergency go-kit well in advance of a disaster will ensure nothing gets left behind. Your pet emergency kit should include first aid supplies, proof of ownership, vaccination history, and at least one of your pet’s favorite toys or blankets. Not sure what else to pack? Check out Pet360's top 10 pet emergency kit items.

4.    Protect your pets when they’re home alone – Disasters can strike when you’re not home. Display a Pet Alert sticker on your front door or window to let first responders know how many pets are inside. Remember to include your veterinarian’s contact information.

Kudos to Pet 360 and the Red Paw Emergency Relief Team for this spot-on information!

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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!

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BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop!

The "theme" over at BlogPaws today is "Ready for Santa", so stop by and see their adorable featured photo. And while you're at it, why not enter the BlogPaws December Photo Contest to win some fabulous prizes from Pet 360? As soon as we get our holiday act together, we'll be entering!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch in Ohio...we're still not even close to being ready for the holidays. Actually, it's all Parental Unit's fault.

        Where are my new Christmas toys, dear Parental Unit?

                                 Tigger is sooo last spring.

                 Can ya tell I'm gettin' a little depressed here?

Now on to the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Pet Blogger Hop. Join up!

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Woman Fosters Dog: A Ridiculously Happy Ending For Both

This clever infographic created by our friends at Pet 360 tells the tale (based on a true story), of a young woman who "failed" at her job of doggy foster mom, but gained her new best friend. Although we are charmed by the story and the pitch-perfect graphics, you'll also see how foster parenting dogs in shelters and rescues is vital to saving their lives: Fostered dogs have a much lower "return rate than dogs from shelters who haven't been fostered-2% for fostered pups versus 14% for dogs adopted directly from a shelter. And those numbers add up when you're talking 6-8 million animals entering shelters each year in the U.S. (We're guessing those percentages also include cats).

How many of you have fostered a homeless pooch or kitty? Let us know!

Get more great info about fostering pets at Pet360.com/foster

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"Living With Your Pet" Tips: Three Commands That Could Save Your Dog's Life

       Fabulous photo of me by John Clark of Clark Creative

We think there are lots of great reasons to spend time training your dog, which really shouldn't end when your pooch leaves the puppy stage: It's quality time spent with your dog, it engages your dog's mind and body; it helps you and your dog form a stronger bond...feel free to add more! 

But these training tips from our friends at Pet 360 are vital because they focus on the three commands that could save your dog's life: Come; Leave it; and Wait.

Of course, feeling confident that your canine companion will respond appropriately to each of these commands all the time and under all circumstances is the difficult part. Parental Unit admits that I don't respond immediately and completely to the "come" and "wait" commands, and usually when she tells me to "leave it" and we're in the house, I run upstairs and under the bed (my man cave) with the prize-although I do "leave it' there when I become bored with it. Does that count?

Another problem is when all members of the household, or even occasional caretakers, are not on board with this training program-we dogs demand consistency from you humans!

Parental Unit vows to work with me for short periods every day on these three vital commands...how about you?

P.S. Check back later today when we announce the winner of the ASPCA Gift Pack!

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