Tis The Season for Love and Joy… And Debt

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For many Americans, the quality of Christmas is determined by gifts It is an undeniable fact that for our society as a whole, gifts are the central feature of the holiday season, with retailers pressuring us to spend more than we can afford by promoting the ‘buy now, pay later’ philosophy, piling on credit card debt. In a recent survey, many said they would prefer to skip Christmas altogether because the holiday season brings so much financial pressure. How sad….we need to learn that things will never make us happy, and Christmas is not about accumulating more “stuff, ” for either our two-legged friends or our four-legged companions.

According to the American Pet Products Association, pet caregivers are spending more than $60 BILLION dollars on their pets this year. Chris Riches of Dailymail says that pets are more popular than relatives at Christmas with more than half planning to spend more on their animal companions than each of their own family members. Naturally every pet supply outlet is taking advantage of the impulse buyer, tantalizing dog lovers with toys, but remember that there is NO agency overseeing the dog toy market , and many of them are not good for your canine. With the market flooded with cheap imports, it’s BUYER BEWARE. Double check…and then check again to make sure a toy is non-toxic and safe. Squeaky toys are a favorite for almost all dogs, but it is easy for dogs to choke on them, often causing a blockage that requires surgery. Dogs love rawhides, but I recommend that you NEVER give rawhides to your dog! Consider toys made of very hard rubber which are safer and last longer, and remember your dog is not impressed with expensive stuff…. They possess the spirit of Christmas every day of the year, realizing that it is not the Christmas wrapping or the gifts…it is about joy and love, and they are eager to share those attributes with you every day of every year. . However, a gift or two would be appreciated, so please choose products made in North America or Europe over those mass-produced and imported from other countries where safety standards are almost non- existent. Avoid the cheap, stinky latex toys, and Inspect all toys for loose parts or pieces that might easily break off. Don’t give children’s toys to dogs, because they could chew off and choke on the eyes and noses of stuffed animals.

One of my favorite toys is the Kong. Kong toys are uniquely shaped, extraordinarily strong, rubber toys with hollow centers, and they have an unpredictable bounce that appeals to almost all dogs. This toy can be used for therapy, boredom, separation anxiety, other behavior problems, and just plain fun. A Kong can be stuffed with almost any kind of food your dog likes…mix some of his meal with a little canned dog food, yogurt, peanut butter…combinations are endless, and if you freeze them , they will occupy your dog for extended periods of time.

Kyjen Pet Products has a great assortment of quality dog dogs….the Squeaker Mat Toy has multiple squeakers that have the squeakers sewn inside, and doesn’t have any stuffing to be swallowed when your dog eventually rips it open.

The Nylabone Durable Dental Dinosaur and the Nylabone Dura chew Wishbone are great gifts for serious chewers. They have interesting shapes and raised bristles to help clean her teeth.

The Cuz is an ingeniously designed, natural rubber ball with feet…but that’s not its only special feature. It squeaks…and the squeaker is built into the Cuz so that it won’t fall out. It is a well-made toy by JW Pets, a U.S. based company that claims their ideas are l00% homegrown in the USA. They also have a large assortment of other creative, well-made toys, including Cuz Tails, which has a soft, squeaky tail that can be bounced, tugged and fetched. JW dog toys are higher quality than most of the toys you find in the big box toy departments.

Remember that no toy is indestructible, and as long as the toy industry is an unsupervised playground, it is the responsibility of the caregivers to keep their eyes on the ball, the stuffing, and the squeaker.

Dogs help us to better understand what Christmas is truly about, and even though they cannot speak in our language-or perhaps it is that we cannot speak in theirs-we know that dogs realize the true meaning of Christmas. Have a loving , joyous, debt-free holiday season!

Don’t Toss Those Socks

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For many years I have wondered how a pair of socks could be put into the dryer, and only one sock would emerge at the end of the drying cycle. At least one sock seems to disappear with every wash, leaving a pile of lonely items that have lost their other half. There have been rumors of sock- gobbling monsters along with varied excuses such as sock thieves and old- people memory problems. Many attempts have been to solve the LOST SOCK DILEMMA, but I have a great suggestion. Don’t try to answer the question “WHY?” – just use them to make dog toys.

According to the American Pet products Association, Americans spend a combined $58 BILLION each year on their pets, confirming that owning a dog is an expensive investment. There are tons of dog toys on the market—all shapes, sizes, colors and textures, and every dog needs a good assortment of toys. However, the truth is that all dog toys can be dangerous because there is NO TOY that is totally l00% indestructible, no matter what the package claims, and most toys, however durable, don’t last very long, so creating homemade toys is a great option. Dogs love to chew on socks, and just one heavy humble sock can be transformed into a dog toy in a few minutes… Just a couple knots pulled tight, makes a more durable toy than many commercial chew toys…To add to the fun, put a squeaker inside, and supervise carefully so you can snatch the squeaker when it is chewed out.

Another simple sock toy can be made from several old socks…Except for the outer sock they can even have holes in them. Take one sock (without holes) and stuff with about a few of the other unwanted socks. Fit them so they sit comfortably, and the end result is squishy, but not lumpy. Leave the toe end intact, and cut a small slit on each side of the top of the leg end of the outside sock to make something to tie with. Tie the two sides together in a tight knot. Press down as much as you can, and tie again to prevent the knot from coming undone. (If you don’t have enough socks for stuffing, use an old shirt or unwanted underwear, etc.) To make the toy even more attractive, soak it in water, and then freeze it solid (is somewhat messy).

Commercial Crinkle bottles cost much as $12 to $15, and they are so cute that it is hard for dog lovers to resist them. However, dogs don’t care how “cute” they are or how well they are decorated. They just like the crinkle-crunch sound that they make. You can make your own for just pennies. All you need are an empty bottled water bottle and a heavy old sock. Be sure to remove the bottle cap, and the plastic ring around the cap. Place the bottle into the sock, and knot the end of the sock. The dog will love it, and when the crinkle-crunch sound is destroyed, you can replace it with another bottle… and if you want it decorated, just use a magic marker and make your own designs. You’ll have fun making it, and your dog will have fun playing with it! (REMEMBER TO REMOVE THE CAP AND THE PLASTIC RING) ENJOY!

Life is too short to fuss about mismatched socks….Just transform them into fun toys for your dog,

Be creative with your orphan socks, realizing that any toy (commercial or homemade) can be dangerous, so appropriate supervision is advised… be cautious, and use common sense! As with any toy, SAFETY FIRST!

Some Toys are Downright Dangerous!

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Toys…toys…toys…. Your dog may have some favorites, but one thing is for certain — if he is like most dogs, he loves to play with toys, and it is important to choose toys wisely, because not all toys on the market are safe for your dog. Pet toys are not regulated, so they can be made with virtually any material (including those that contain toxic chemicals), and since there are no safety-testing requirements, most are cheaply made, and many of them contain BPA and phthalates, toxic chemicals that can harm your dog’s health. Other toxins sometimes found in dog toys include heavy metals (lead, etc.) and formaldehyde, and research has determined that old or weathered toys (such as those left outside) leach even higher concentrations of harmful chemicals, so the wisest option is to discard them. .

The safest toys are unbreakable, resistant to chewing and rough play, interesting to the dog, and do not have parts that can break off and be swallowed. Choose those made in the U.S, out of l00 percent natural rubber, organic cotton, or non-toxic materials, and always give them a sniff test: toys should have no smell…if the toy smells strongly of chemicals, it is NOT a good choice. Some are downright dangerous..

If you are a parent of two legged children, you probably learned to rotate your children’s toys. By stashing some of them out of sight for a while, and rotating them, even old toys seemed new. The same holds true for dogs—they can tire of the same-old toys, so the novelty factor is huge in maintaining their interest—toys that are in good condition can be brought back to life by putting them on rotation. Leave out two or three toys and put the rest away. In a couple days, swap them out and watch your pet’s new interest. Just washing the toys can also pique their attention…and toys need to be cleaned regularly anyway, and if they crack or start to come apart, they should be discarded.

Toys should always be appropriate for your dog’s size, chewing abilities, and activity level. VetDepot offers these tips:

  • Tug toys: Most dogs love a good game of tug, but use restraint, and if your dog has any neck or back problems, play with this type of toy should be limited.
  • Squeaky toys: Removing the squeaker from a squeaky toy is usually the goal for most dogs, so these toys should be allowed only under close supervision and the squeaker picked up as soon as it is detected.
  • Balls: Make sure that any ball isn’t small enough for your dog to swallow. Also, the fuzz on tennis balls can be overly abrasive on the teeth, and obsessive ball chewers can actually puncture the surface, leaving a tooth impaled in the ball.
  • Rawhide chews: Dogs love them, but they are definitely NOT good options. Most rawhides are processed in other countries using toxic chemicals, and even USA made rawhides are not easily digested. They can cause obstructions if large pieces are swallowed, and vets document that bacterial infections can be caused from them. (If you insist on giving your dog’s rawhides, close supervision is essential.)
  • Stuffed toys: Be sure to give your dog toys meant for canine use—no children’s toys which have eyes and other parts that can be chewed off and swallowed. If your dog starts pulling the stuffing out, remove the stuffing immediately.
  • Safe fun: two words that often collide in a dog’s world. As long as the toy industry is an unsupervised playground, it’s up to loving caregivers to keep their eyes on the ball… and squeaker…and stuffing, and…and…and…

Companies that make toys worth a woof include::

  •  Kong Company is based in Colorado, and sadly they are outsourcing some of their products, but the original Kong is a treat-holding, nearly indestructible object with a tantalizingly odd bounce, and is made in the United States. This tops my list for favorite toys for dogs. A couple stuffed Kongs can occupy a dog for hours!
  • Planet Dog, a Maine company, offers a full spectrum of fetching, nontoxic, recyclable U.S.-made toys. They offer something for every age dog.
  • West Paw Design focuses on environmentally friendly toys including the “Zogoflex,” a tough, yet flexible material that utilizes l0 percent post-industrial waste, and is non-toxic. Their dishwasher-safe Tux has an inner lip for hiding treats, adding an extra layer of fun and challenge.

 FINAL WORD: Remember that no toy is a substitute for personal interaction. Your dog will appreciate you more than any toys!

Just a Few of my Favorite Things

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The winter-centered imagery of the song, “My Favorite things”, made famous by Julie Andrews in Sound of Music, is a popular selection during the holiday season. The song mentions silver white winters, whiskers on kittens, snowflakes, and sleigh bells, and I always enjoyed the optimistic lyrics until I realized that the only mention to our canine companions was a negative one: “when the dog bites”…so I decided that it isn’t a favorite any more. I realize that dogs occasionally bite, but I prefer to focus on the positive when considering our loyal four-footed companions …(I truly believe that most dog bites are the fault of the human involved rather than the dog, but that is another subject).

I would like to share a few of my dog-related favorites that would make awesome gifts for dog loving friends …or friend-loving dogs:

E-books and Kindles are impressive, but there is something extra special about an old fashioned, honest-to goodness book, and my very favorite coffee-table-book author is Christine Davis. For anyone looking for the perfect gift for a pet lover, I suggest a book by Davis, who, when she lost her beloved dog to a mysterious illness, was devastated, and searched for a book to comfort her and lift her spirits. Unable to find anything to ease the hurt in her heart, she determined to write one herself. With no experience in book publishing, she borrowed money, and embarked on a scary venture, writing and illustrating a tribute to the special relationship that she and Martha, her four-footed friend, had shared. It was a labor of love!

As she asserts, “All dogs bring the gift of love to the world. In that way, they are very much like angels. Dogs will share their love with anyone. They don’t ask for anything in return, but if someone takes a moment to scratch a dog under the chin, or tell the dog how special it is, you can be sure its guardian angel is smiling.” For Every Dog An Angel was a huge success…it has been reprinted three times, and she has since written Forever Paws, The Shelter Dog, and Old Dog and the Christmas Wish, all delightful, whimsical, heart-warming books that celebrate the unconditional love between animals and their humans. For information on any of Davis’ books, contact your local bookstore or Lighthearted Press at www.lightheartedpress.com, or call toll free at 1-877-385-6837 for prompt, courteous service. Any (or all) of these books will delight the recipient for years to come.

There is no agency overseeing the $50 BILLION dollar dog toy market, and most pet stores and catalogs area filled with dog toys that look like fun, tempting us to buy a few for our favorite dog, but BUYER BEWARE: With the market being flooded with cheap imports, it is difficult to be sure a product is safe and non toxic, and when it comes to safety, think choking hazards. Although tennis balls are a common dog toy, for example, they can be a problem if the dog chews them apart, and tries to swallow pieces. Dogs love squeaky toys, but serious chewers can quickly remove the squeaker, and choke on it. Dogs also love rawhides (most of which are imported, and often contain toxic chemicals)…I do not recommend giving rawhides either as a gift or to your own dog. Before you buy a cute latex dog toy, give it the sniff test. Many are tainted with toxic contaminants. Cheap and cute should not be used as criteria for dog toy gifts, and as long as the dog toy industry is an unsupervised playground, it is the responsibility of the buyer to consider quality and safety. Kong toys are my favorite dog toys. The original Kong is a treat-holding, nearly indestructible object with a quirky bounce. Planet Dog Company offers a full spectrum of fetching, non-toxic, U.S made toys, and West Paw Design Company focuses on tough, yet flexible dog toys. If you google these companies, you will find a variety of quality, safe toys.

If you are looking for a gift for a dog that suffers from separation anxiety, barks excessively, or exhibits other inappropriate behavior, the heartbeat music therapy CD , Canine Lullabies , would be a great gift. There are many CD’s that promise to “calm dogs” or “make them happy”, and most of them are worthless, but Canine Lullabies really does reduce stress by providing non-threatening, comforting music (and uses the sound of an actual heartbeat, not just a “thumpity, thumpity” sound). For more information on this product, visit www.caninelullabies.com or call 1-800-537-7748.

As you choose toys for your favorite dogs, remember that the best choices are not easily broken, resistant to chewing, lack parts that can break off and be swallowed, and are interesting to dogs.

Toy Safety For Dogs

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Dogs love to play, whether it’s playing tug of war, chasing a ball, or making a squeaky toy squeak, but not every toy is suitable for every dog. With today’s active, hectic lifestyles, dogs are spending more and more time home alone, and they need boredom busters, but many commercial toys are simply not safe to be left with an unsupervised dog. Toys need to be carefully selected to be appropriate for your dog’s size, activity level, and chewing abilities, and all toys should be cleaned regularly…many of the quality toys are dishwasher safe!

Be sure that the toy is a suitable size for your dog. Don’t choose a toy that can be easily swallowed or become lodged in your dog’s throat. A tennis boll may not be the best option for a large Rottweiler, or a heavy, cumbersome rope would be awkward for a teacup size dog. The most common ball given to dogs is the tennis ball, but many animal welfare experts discourage giving tennis balls to any unsupervised dog. The fuzz that covers them is abrasive and can wear your dog’s teeth down, or be ripped off, or punctured and get caught on a tooth. A recommended alternative is the Air Kong Squeaker that looks like a tennis ball, but is covered in a non-abrasive material, and contains a securely-concealed squeaker for extra fun. Another great ball with extra features is the Huck Ball, which has a grooved shape that makes it jump in all kinds of crazy directions. It is made from a durable material which makes it a good choice for dogs that have a tendency to chew through a traditional ball. Avoid balls with single air holes, which can create a deadly suction trap.

Durability should always be considered. Some dogs do fine with soft, fluffy toys, and others will destroy them and eat the pieces, which can result in a dangerous gastro-intestinal obstruction. Avoid toys that have removable parts or small pieces such as plastic eyes, which the dog can chew off. Squeakers can also be dangerous. Most dogs love to play with toys that squeak, and some will chew until they destroy the toy and get the squeaker out…once the squeaker comes out, the dog can swallow it. Before leaving your dog unsupervised with a squeaky toy, be sure he is not the kind who will be tempted to get to the squeaker.

Public concern has increased about the safety of vinyl products for children, but there are no regulations regarding the safety of dog toys, leaving the dog toy industry unsupervised. The best way to avoid toxins from synthetic chemicals is to not buy synthetic products, but they are hard to dodge these days, and even natural things may be treated with nasty stuff. “Vinyl” is the common name for polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, and manufacturers infuse the PVC with a number of additives to make the items soft, flexible, and willing to take colors. According to Greenpeace Research Laboratories, “You can end up with a vinyl product of which only a small proportion is actually PVC, with many additives that pose health risks. Before buying, use your senses. Strong chemical smells indicate residual chemicals If you can smell vinyl, then you, and your, dog are inhaling additives that are toxic. The stronger a vinyl toy smells, the greater amount of toxins it contains, so before you buy a cute little vinyl toy, give it the sniff test. They may look fun and colorful, but many toys on the store shelves are not good for your dog. It is important to check that you are getting a product that is safe and nontoxic. Remembering that NO toy is completely indestructible, and new toys should never be left with an unattended dog. A few companies worth checking out are godogfun.com, kongcompany.com, planetdog.com, and westpawdesign.com.

Keep a variety of toy types on hand and maintain your dog’s interest by rotating them, to make old toys seem like new again, but remember that no toy is a substitute for interaction. Your dog will appreciate you more than toys!

 

Great Gifts For Your Favorite Pooch

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Every pet outlet is taking advantage of the impulse buyer at this festive time of year. Pet stores and sites are tantalizing dog lovers with a vast array of “dog stuff”, and it is tough for dog lovers to resist with all the “hot buys” offered. Here a toy, there a toy, everywhere a toy, and your dog certainly needs a new toy (or two, or three!) for Christmas, right?

It is important to realize that there is NO agency overseeing the yearly $50 BILLION dollar dog toy market, and many of them are not good for your canine. With the market flooded with cheap imports, it’s BUYER BEWARE. Double check and then check again to make sure any toy is non-toxic and SAFE. Hazards can include anything from needles left inside stuffed toys to chemical laden paints and choking dangers, which are all too common with many of the toys. Although tennis balls are wonderful for some dogs, if the dog is an aggressive chewer, he can puncture the ball with his teeth and the ball is stuck in his mouth, or if he chews them in half, pieces can be swallowed…we have two dogs at the shelter right now that LOVE tennis balls, but cannot be left unattended with them. Squeaky toys are a favorite for almost all dogs, but again it is common for dogs to choke on them often causing a blockage that requires surgery. Dogs also love rawhides which can become soft when they are chewed and can lodge in the throat. I do not recommend ever giving raw hides to your dog!

Please choose products made in North America or Europe over those mass-produced and imported from other countries where safety standards are minimal. Inspect any toy for loose parts or pieces that might easily break off. Don’t give children’s toys to dogs, because they would probably chew off and choke on the eyes and noses of stuffed animals.

One of my very favorite commercial toy for dogs is the Kong. The Classic Kong has been around for more than 20 years, and is a “must have” staple for dog caregivers. Kong toys are uniquely shaped, extraordinarily strong, rubber toys with hollow centers, and they have an unpredictable bounce that lures most dogs into an ongoing game of catch, chase, and chew. (Sadly the Kong Company is now outsourcing some of their new products, but the Classic Kongs are made in the USA.) This amazing toy can be used for therapy, boredom, separation anxiety, other behavior problems, and just plain fun! Every dog should have several Kongs, especially if he is left alone for extended periods of time. A Kong can be stuffed with almost any kind of food your dog likes. Mix some of his meal with a little canned dog food, yogurt, peanut butter, cottage cheese…combinations are endless.

Another favorite toy is the CUZ, an ingeniously designed, natural rubber ball with feet….but that is not the only inventive thing about it. It squeaks…and the squeaker is built into the Cuz so that it won’t fall out. It has become a real favorite with the dogs at the shelter. It is a well-made toy made by JW Pets, a US based company that claims their ideas are l00% homegrown. They do their own inventing, designing, and creating in their facility in Texas…no outsourcing. They also have a big assortment of other creative, well made toys, with the latest addition being the Cuz Tails, which has a soft, squeaky tail that can be bounced, tugged and fetched …fun for both humans and canines. JW dog toys are better quality than most of the toys you find in dog toy departments. We encourage you to check out their website at www.jwpet.com. You’ll find some really fun dog stuff.

Remember that no toy is indestructible, and as long as the toy industry is an unsupervised playground, it is the responsibility of the caregivers to keep their eyes on the ball, stuffing, and squeaker.

 

These are a few of my Favorite Things

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What better time than the New Year to think about Favorites.  Among my top favorites are the four F’s….faith, family, friends, and furbabies…..actually there is a fifth one…food….hard to not over indulge with all the holiday goodies beckoning !  Anyway, I also have some favorites for the dogs, and am focusing on toys today…

My very favorite commercial toy for dogs is the Kong…the Classic Kong has been around for more than 20 years, and is a “must-have” staple for dog caregivers. Kong toys are uniquely shaped, extraordinarily strong, rubber toys with hollow centers, and they have an unpredictable bounce that lures most dogs into an ongoing game of catch chase, and chew! This amazing toy can be used for therapy, boredom, separation anxiety, other behavior problems and just plain fun! Every dog should have several Kongs, especially if he is left alone for extended periods of time. One main reason that dogs develop behavior problems is sheer boredom, resulting from a lack of physical exercise and human interaction, so to make life more enjoyable while you are gone, you can offer “fun-work” to do.  A Kong can be stuffed with almost any kind of food your dog likes. Mix some of his meal with a little canned dog food, cottage cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, canned pumpkin …combinations are endless. If you have never given your dog a stuffed Kong, make it easy for her to empty it, so she doesn’t get discouraged…when she learns how to empty easy Kongs quickly, you can stuff them tighter.  Freezing them will make them even more of a challenge.  Hide them around the house and she will have a good time searching for them.

Kong is King of dog toys, but there is also another toy that all dogs’ love– “Crinkle toys” Crinkle bottles are the latest fad in dog toys, costing as much as $12, and they are so cute that it is hard for dog lovers to resist them. However, dogs don’t care how “cute” they are or how well they are decorated. They just like the crinkle-crunch sound that they make, and you can make your own for just pennies. All you need are an empty bottled water bottle and a heavy old sock. Be sure to remove the bottle cap, and the plastic ring around the cap. Place the bottle into the sock, and knot the end of the sock. The dog will love it, and when the crinkle-crunch sound is destroyed, you can replace it with another bottle….and if you want it decorated, just use a magic marker and make your own designs (REMEMBER TO REMOVE THE CAP AND THE PLASTIC RING)    You’ll have fun making it, and your dog will have fun playing with it…and don’t forget to add your dog-related activity to your “Opportunity Journal”!

There is no agency overseeing the $40 BILLION dollar dog toy market, and most pet stores and catalogs are filled with dog toys that look fun, but most of them are not good for your canine. . With the market being flooded by cheap imports, you need to check that you are getting a product that’s safe and non-toxic.  Other hazards can include anything from needles left inside stuffed toys to chemical laden paints and choking dangers.  When it comes to safety, think choking hazards. Although tennis balls are a common dog toy, for example, they can be a problem if the dog chews them in half and tries to swallow the pieces.  Dogs LOVE toys with squeakers, but it is common for dogs to choke on them, and can cause a blockage, often requiring surgery. Dogs also love rawhides which can also become soft when they are chewed and can lodge in the throat.  I do not recommend giving rawhides to your dog!

I urge you to choose products made in North America or Europe over those mass-produced and imported from other countries, where safety standards are minimal. (Sadly the Kong Company is now outsourcing some of their new products, but the Classic Kongs are made in the USA).  Inspect any toy for loose parts or pieces that might easily come off…Don’t give children’s toys to dogs, because they would probably chew off and choke on the eyes and noses of stuffed animals. Avoid balls with single air holes which can create a deadly suction, heavily dyed toys, toys treated with fire retardants or stain guard and soft plastics. Select toys that match your dog’s play style, and never leave him unattended with a new toy.

Remember: no toy is indestructible, and as long as the toy industry is an unsupervised playground, it is the responsibility of the caregiver to keep their eyes on the ball, stuffing, and squeaker!